Lilburn City Council: Robbery Witness Honored with Commendation

Ivy Cromer said he was just trying to do the right thing on Jan. 28, when he witnessed on Lawrenceville Highway the morning of Jan. 28.

“I was in the right place at the right time for us, and it was the wrong time and wrong place for them,” Cromer said Monday night before the Lilburn City Council honored him for his role in helping the Lilburn Police Department apprehend a mother, her teenage son and two of his buddies who robbed the bank located at 5505 Lawrenceville Highway.

When Cromer, 57, saw the armed suspects pull hoods over their heads outside the bank he knew immediately what was going to happen. So, he pulled his car away from the bank, parked, called 911 and waited for the suspects to flee. From a distance, he followed the suspects, and stayed on the phone with police to give valuable details, like descriptions of the robbers and the car and where they were headed.

Police, acting on Cromer's information, caught the suspects in DeKalb County after a high-speed chase.

Lilburn Mayor Diana Preston read a certificate of commendation before Monday’s meeting, followed by a standing ovation from the around 40 people in attendance.

“It’s a great honor,” Cromer said of the commendation. “I wasn’t expecting anything, but this is very much appreciated.”

Bruce Hedley, Lilburn’s interim police chief, said Cromer’s action was a prime example of how citizens can work together with police. Hedley was especially impressed that Cromer kept his distance and did not become more directly involved in trying to catch the alleged criminals.

“I’m very proud of Mr. Cromer,” Hedley said. “He took a step beyond what a normal citizen would do.”

Cromer’s commendation was the highlight of a city council meeting that last only 15 minutes after the Pledge of Allegiance.

The council acted (all unanimously) on the following:

-       Approved more than $49,000 of 2009 SPLOST/Transportation funds to be paid to the Georgia Dept. of Transportation for median enhancements on U.S. 29. The enhancements include stamped, colored concrete and planter islands.

-       Approved amendments to several county Department of Health-City ordinances enforced by the county.

-       Approved a request of the Georgia General Assembly to introduce legislation to annex two unincorporated portions of the county into the city limits. The areas adjacent to the city limits are U.S. 29 to Ronald Reagan Parkway and Pleasant Hill Road to the Zaxby’s restaurant. Both areas contain only commercial properties.

-       Approved the creation of a senior investigator position on the police force.