The Hiller Hammer
Date: July 10, 1982
Headline: Missteps and Misjudgments: How the Fulton Hills Police Department Botched the Hunt for the Fulton Stalker

From the archives. Contributor: Spence Hutchins, Curator of the Fulton Hills Historical Society.

By Quinn Mercer

In the ongoing search for answers surrounding the Fulton Stalker, the Fulton Hills Police Department has faced mounting criticism—not just for its failure to capture the perpetrator sooner, but for the series of missteps and misjudgments that may have cost precious lives.

One glaring example of these mistakes was the wrongful accusation of local mechanic Dale “Digger” Robinson, a man whose life was irrevocably changed after being falsely identified as the prime suspect in the 1981 disappearance of Olivia Park.

The Accusation

When 13-year-old Olivia Park vanished from her neighborhood in East Fulton, police initially had no leads. However, an anonymous tip claimed Robinson—a loner with a criminal record for minor theft—had been seen near the area on the day of her disappearance. Despite the lack of concrete evidence, investigators zeroed in on him, citing his past and his “antisocial demeanor” as reasons for suspicion.

Robinson was brought in for questioning, where he was interrogated for over 14 hours without an attorney present. Under intense pressure, he reportedly made ambiguous statements that authorities interpreted as incriminating. His arrest was announced at a press conference, with Sheriff Dale Marks calling it a “significant breakthrough” in the case.

The Fallout

The announcement was met with initial relief by a community desperate for answers. But cracks in the case quickly began to show. Robinson’s alibi—a customer who had been with him at his garage during the time of Olivia’s disappearance—was confirmed after three months, and no physical evidence tied him to the crime.

Public opinion turned sharply against the police when the charges were dropped two weeks later, and Robinson was released. By then, his reputation had been destroyed. Harassed by angry residents and ostracized by former friends, Robinson eventually left Fulton Hills for good.

“It didn’t matter that I was innocent,” Robinson said over the phone. “To them, I was guilty the moment they put my face on TV. My life ended that day.”

Police Missteps Highlighted

Robinson’s case was just one of many errors in the Fulton Stalker investigation. A subsequent review by state officials outlined several key failures:

• Rushing to Judgment: The decision to focus solely on Robinson ignored other potential leads and delayed further progress in the case.
• Ignoring Witness Reliability: The anonymous tip that led to Robinson’s arrest was later found to be vague and unsubstantiated, rumored to have been from a customer frustrated at what he felt was too high of a bill for services rendered.
• Lack of Evidence: Investigators relied on circumstantial connections and gut instincts rather than tangible proof.

These errors compounded an already strained relationship between law enforcement and the public, fueling distrust that persisted for years.

The Stalker Remains Elusive

The fallout from Robinson’s wrongful arrest slowed the investigation, as resources were diverted to damage control. Meanwhile, the Fulton Stalker continued to claim victims, including Kelly Simmons and Rachel Adams, whose disappearances followed shortly after Robinson’s release.

“Every second they wasted chasing the wrong man was a second closer to another girl being taken,” said Margaret Lane, mother of victim Sierra Lane. “Their failure wasn’t just incompetence—it was negligence.”

Lessons Learned?

By 1982, pressure from state officials forced the Fulton Hills Police Department to overhaul its investigative process. A task force was formed, and new protocols for evidence gathering and suspect vetting were implemented. But for many, the damage had already been done.

Robinson’s story remains a stark reminder of the consequences of poor policing. His wrongful accusation didn’t just devastate his life—it eroded public confidence and allowed the Stalker to remain in the shadows.

“We trusted them to protect us,” said Thomas Tuttle, father of Sarah Tuttle. “Instead, they protected their own egos.”

As the investigation into the Fulton Stalker continued, the failures of the past served as a grim backdrop to one of the most haunting chapters in Fulton Hills’ history.