63-year-old man wanted for breaking into beloved Tucker restaurant
63-year-old man wanted for breaking into beloved Tucker restaurant
Surveillance video and Connect DeKalb cameras helped identify 63-year-old Terrence Tamplin as the suspect.
TUCKER, Ga. - DeKalb County Police are searching for a 63-year-old man accused of breaking into a beloved local restaurant Monday night and stealing cash.
What we know:
Officers responded around 8 p.m. on June 16 to a burglary report at Matthews Cafeteria, located in the 2200 block of Main Street. Police arrived within five minutes of the 911 call. According to a restaurant employee, someone had entered the office and taken a cash register drawer containing money.
The employee provided officers with surveillance footage of the suspect and his vehicle. Thanks to that evidence — and the help of community-based Connect DeKalb cameras — investigators quickly identified the suspect as Terrence Tamplin.
Within an hour, police issued a warrant for Tamplin’s arrest. He was last seen driving a black Acura MDX SUV with Georgia license plate DAZ8296.
What they're saying:
Michael Greene, the owner of Matthews Cafeteria in Tucker showed FOX 5 News surveillance video of a man walking into the restaurant on Tuesday evening and swiping a cash drawer with about $600 in it. Greene says through that video and Flock cameras on Main Street, DeKalb County Police were able to identify the man as 63-year-old Terrance Tamplin.
"We knew who he was, where he was headed, and had an arrest warrant being signed by a judge within two hours of the incident here," Greene said.
People have been coming to Matthews Cafeteria for their homestyle cooking since 1955.
"Breakfast and dinner mostly, about three times a week," said Frank Battle, a regular customer.
Greene says people from all over have been calling and texting since the money was stolen just to check in and make sure everyone was okay.
"A lot of them have come in today to support us. Makes you feel like you're doing something right, you know?", said Greene.
What you can do:
Anyone who sees Tamplin or has information on his whereabouts is urged to contact DeKalb County Police immediately.