CONYERS - Many of us do it all the time, fill up at the gas station with the keys still in the ignition. Now Conyers Police are hoping motorists reconsider their habits after several incidents by a very bold team of crooks.
An attempted car burglary was recorded on surveillance video at the QT on Klondike Road in Conyers Monday morning around nine. It showed a black car pulling up alongside a man putting gas in his Mercedes Benz. It also shows a man getting out of the car and into the luxury vehicle.
About six seconds later the man gets out of the Mercedes Benz and gets back into the vehicle with three other men in it.
Officer Kim Lucas described the car thieves as very brazen. Immediately afterwards she said the same car pulled into a Shell gas station on Sigman Road where they did steal a car.
The vehicle's owner Yeon Williams told Fox 5 News he had gone to the gas station to check on shimmy on one of his wheels. He said as he was bent down to look at the wheel he felt the car shaking.
He said he saw a man in his car drive away, leaving him standing there. Williams said his Nissan Maxima was stolen along with his cell phone, computer and some clothing.
Police suspect the same crew recently stole cars from the Citgo across the street from the QT and at the gas station before that. They say in both cases owners left keys in the ignition while inside the stores.
Concerns are now growing because the thieves are now growing because the thieves have crossed the next line, stealing or attempting to steal vehicles with the owners’ right there.
Officer Lucas said it's a reminder to all motorists not to leave their keys in the ignition while getting gas or going into the stores.
Now they are hoping a reward of up to Crime Stoppers Reward of $2500 will spur someone to give them a call.
Anyone with information is asked to call 404-577-TIPS.