(WSB Radio 750AM Atlanta)--They're being called the worst of the worst. And now they're off the streets of Atlanta.

Local and federal authorities have arrested eight men, believed to be part of a violent criminal crew, suspected in the killing of at least six people.

"These crimes were committed by some of the worst of the worst," said Jeff Pearce with the ATF.

Police say the eight were members of the crew that would rob drug dealers and other criminals. In addition to the six murders, they're suspected in the wounding of three other men since June.

Investigators say the suspects were particularly dangerous because, in the course of their robberies, they would often fire at their victims indiscriminately, placing bystanders in harm's way.

These suspects were so violent, Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington says they played a major role in driving up the city's murder rate.

Arrested were Carlos Drennan, 28; Maurice Hargrove, 24; Edward Morris III, 28; Ashton Mitchell, 21; Marco Moses, 22; George Kerry Redding, 20; Prentice McNeil, 23; and Moerise Williams, 26.

Three of the men were Hurricane Katrina evacuees.

Four of the men are charged with a June murder that happened outside Club 112, a nightclub, now closed, in midtown Atlanta.

Police say their break came when one of the men was nabbed on a weapons charge. That started the investigation that led to the arrests.

During the course of their work, investigators say they found 10 assault rifles while arresting the suspects during the past two weeks.

Authorities are now trying to determine when the eight suspects might have been involved in other crimes.

October 5, 2007

Any guess as to their race.... I love the way Pennington makes it sound as if all is well in Atlanta now.

Well, I for one think I will go for a stroll down on Bankhead Highway or maybe down on Metropolitan Parkway or maybe my personal favorite--Jonesboro Road at I-285, where the worst of the worst really live. Believe you me, there are projects full of the worst of the worst down on Jonesboro Road. Everybody in Atlanta knows these areas.....breeding grounds for the worst of the worst.....

And Katrina--the gift that keeps on giving....