Crime spree in Atlanta ends with 30-car break-ins
ATLANTA - Police are urging drivers to take extra precaution after nearly three dozen vehicles were broken into at four different locations just a few miles away from each other.
Atlanta Police said 19 cars were broken into inside the Colony House Condominiums parking garage, three vehicles at the Waffle House on Howell Mill Road, five at the Travel Lodge on Courtland Street and three at the R. Thomas restaurant on Peachtree Street.
“I knew it was that time of year and it's sad to say that in the city, that's when it’s Christmas time and the lights go up, it's also a time to kind of watch your back,” said Clayton English who said the locks on his Chevy Monte Carlo had been pulled out.
Atlanta Police said the crooks stole English’s gun that was inside of his car.
“People always ask how guns get in the streets, I mean criminals don’t really care how they obtain what they obtain,” said English.
“It's always disconcerting for us anytime there is a gun out there especially that has been stolen because we do not know where it might end up or what it might be used for,“ said Atlanta Police Officer Lukasz Sajdak.
Atlanta Police believe four to five suspects used a stolen grey Honda Accord with Georgia tag #QAB9122 to commit the break-ins. Investigators said the car was stolen from a QT on Sydney Marcus Monday night.
“The individual went into the store and he left his vehicle running at which turn someone jumped in and took it,” said Officer Sajdak.
With a rash of car break-ins across the city, Atlanta police have stepped up patrols in the areas of concern and urge anyone who sees anything suspicious to call 911. Officers said they cannot stress enough, to not leave valuables in the car.
English said if the crooks can do that much damage in so little time, they can figure out a way to do good.
“They need to put that work together and do something legal, if you can get that together you should be able to get a job or something,” said English.
Atlanta Police ask anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers 404.577.TIPS