DECATUR-The Decatur Police Chief, Ed Taylor announced today, Saturday May 17th the arrests of four suspects, One for murder and 3 for multiple counts of robbery.
Here is the Chief’s statement in its entirety:
The Decatur Police Department is pleased to announce the arrest of four individuals for multiple counts of robbery and one count of Murder. Suspects in custody at this time include 16 year old Cedric Lamont Cowan, 17 year old Amani Juan Goodwin, 16 year old Cortez Ocie Mitchell & 20 year old Joseph Christopher Cowan. Det. Mike Burleson/Violent Crimes Units was assigned the lead investigator role in all cases as described below.
The details of the incidents in question are as follows:
1) On May 13th, 2015, at approximately 9:46 P.M., the Decatur Police Department received a report of multiple robberies which occurred in the rear playground park area behind Julian Harris Elementary School. The school is located at 1922 McAuliffe Drive SW Decatur.
DPD Officer Linam responded and met with three teen-age victims who reported being approached and robbed by multiple black male subjects while the victims were sitting in the park. Stolen in the robberies were an assortment of jewelry, mobile phones, car keys, and wallets. The victims were ordered to the prone position after being relieved of their personal property. The offenders were last seen running away in a southerly direction. No injuries were reported.
The victims generally described their assailants as 17-21 year old black males, dressed in black, with faces partially concealed by white cloth.
2) Two days later on May 15th, the Decatur Police Department received multiple reports of shots fired in the 100 block of Albert Street SW Decatur. DPD Officer Harton and Capt. Carlisle arrived first on the scene. The officers discovered the lifeless body of Antonio Hernandez lying under the carport of the residence located at 110 Albert Street. Hernandez appeared to have died from injuries sustained from multiple gunshot wounds. His friend and homeowner returned to the residence and described the following sequence of events.
The homeowner victim said he and Hernandez were taking a smoke break under his carport when they were suddenly surrounded by multiple armed black males. The assailants demanded money, phones, and property. The homeowner victim said he and Hernandez immediately complied with their instructions and began handing over personal property. These victims were also ordered to the ground after being relieved of their personal property. The homeowner victim said one of the robbers began shooting his friend for no apparent reason and he instinctively ran away. The homeowner victim said he heard the report of several gunshots before he left his yard, running for his life.
The offenders were last seen leaving the area in what was described as a silver colored Nissan Altima. The victim generally described their assailants as young black males, dressed in black armed with an assortment of firearms.
DPD criminal and crime scene investigators were summoned to the scene and assumed control of the investigation. They were later joined by Morgan County Coroner Jeff Chum and Morgan County District Attorney Scott Anderson and Investigator Johnny Coker.
3) Approximately one hour later, the Decatur Police Department received a report of another robbery in the 1600 block of 8th Ave SW Decatur. Officer Mosley arrived on the scene and met with the victim.
The victim reported arriving at her home, unlocking the door, entering the home to turn back the covers of her young child’s bed. The mother returned to her child sleeping in the car when she was suddenly surrounded by several armed black male assailants. One of the robbers threatened to shoot and kill her in front of her small child if she failed to comply with their instructions to move expeditiously. The mother surrendered her purse and contents as instructed.
The offenders were last seen leaving the area in what was described possibly as a silver colored Nissan Altima. No injuries were reported.
At this time, each of the aforementioned defendants are charged with one count of First Degree Robbery apiece for their actions stemming from the school playground robberies. Additional robbery charges are pending.
The three teen-agers are also charged with 2 counts of First Degree Robbery and Murder for their actions on Albert Street. Joseph Cowan is being charged with Capital Murder for his actions on Albert Street.
The three teen-age defendants are charged with one count of Robbery in the 1st Degree in relation to the robbery on 8th Avenue Southwest.
• Charges are forthcoming in relation to a case of shooting into the two cases of shooting into occupied dwellings on 5th Avenue Southwest
• Charges are forthcoming in relation to the Zachary Stevenson Robbery
• Due to the violent nature of these crimes SRU was activated and executed two search warrants. One at 416 12th Avenue Southwest and 1203 Cantwell.
• During the search warrant multiple firearms, ammunition, and mobile phones were confiscated as well as property taken during some of the robberies.
• Morgan County Circuit Judge Glenn Thompson set bonds for all defendants. They are as follows.
1. Cortez Mitchell – 4 counts Robbery 1st ($60,000.00 bond each) 1 count murder ($60,000.00 bond) $300,000.00 total for existing charges
2. Cedric Cowan – 4 counts Robbery 1st ($60,000.00 bond each) 1 count murder ($60,000.00 bond) $300,000.00 total for existing charges
3. Amani Juan Goodwin – 4 counts Robbery 1st ($60,000.00 bond each) 1 count murder ($60,000.00 bond) $300,000.00 total for existing charges
4. Joseph Christopher Cowan – 1 count of Capital Murder (NO BOND)
I’d like to take the time to thank DPD Uniformed Patrol Division, Detectives, Crime Scene Investigators, Special Response Unit, Crime Prevention Unit, Anti-Crimes Unit, School Resource Officers.
Joseph Cowan turned himself in at front desk shortly after one pm today. He has been charged with one count of Capital Murder at the moment. Multiple additional charges are forthcoming on all the aforementioned cases.
Ed Taylor, Chief of Police
