Dangerous thieves threaten store workers, customers

COWETA COUNTY, Ga. - Deputies from Coweta County are hoping to take a possible crew of dangerous thieves off the streets. 

Deputies said several thieves who at times threatened violence have stolen expensive items such as generators, chainsaws, and power tools from home improvement stores across Metro Atlanta. 

Deputies worry the suspects could be armed, and have been spotted at least once with a weapon. 

"They've made gestures that they possibly could have had a weapon under their jacket and said, 'Get out of my way if you know what's good for you,'" said Investigator Shawna Wade with the Coweta County Sheriff's Office. Wade said one suspect who targeted the Newnan incident at the Home Depot verbally threatened a worker. 

Investigators released cell phone video of a thief's encounter with a family who was trying to film him; deputies said the suspect at a Home Depot store in McDonough stealing an item smacked the phone away from the father, causing the baby to audibly cry on the recording.  

The most recent theft was Tuesday morning when a suspect stole equipment from the Home Depot in Morrow. 

Deputies are working to track the motive of the thieves, but suspect the men could be selling expensive equipment to victims of Hurricane Michael in desperate need of tools. 

Investigators believe the men have used multiple getaway vehicles, from a Dodge Charger with Georgia dealer tag WFX285, Kia Soul with a stolen Georgia tag RPJ4337, 2013 Ford Escape with Georgia tag CKJ5045, and a 2008 Chrysler Aspen with Georgia tag RMB9746.

Anyone with information on these individuals or the location of the vehicles is asked to contact Wade at 770-253-1502. Tipsters can also contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS.