Major auto theft ring crackdown at Atlanta's airport, police announce
Atlanta police crackdown on airport car thefts
Three men are behind bars in connection to an auto theft ring targeting the world's busiest airport. Atlanta police announced the arrests and major bust and they hope this is one step closer to protecting your vehicle.
ATLANTA - The Atlanta Police Department says it has made major arrests and recovered stolen vehicles and firearms as part of an ongoing crackdown on an organized auto theft ring operating out of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
What we know:
Authorities say three men — Gerald Tiller, Leon Thomas, and Amar Brown — are responsible for 96 stolen vehicles across Atlanta, including 45 taken from the airport and 51 from other locations in the city.
According to police, the department’s Auto Crimes Enforcement (ACE) Unit led the investigation in coordination with several specialized internal divisions, including those stationed at the airport. Authorities said the operation uncovered a well-coordinated criminal enterprise linked to multiple vehicle thefts and a violent carjacking.
Surveillance and intelligence sharing were key to tracking the suspects and connecting them to the broader operation. Investigators recovered numerous stolen vehicles—some tied to violent incidents—as well as firearms.
During a search of a property on Lamar Avenue, police recovered stolen firearms, cash, universal keys capable of starting multiple car models, and advanced tools designed to bypass vehicle security systems.
By the numbers:
So far in 2025, Atlanta police have recorded 105 auto thefts at the airport — a steep drop from 330 incidents in 2024.
What they're saying:
"The airport takes auto thefts very seriously. One is one too many," said Major David Wilson. "We deal with a lot of people unfortunately every year that had their vehicles stolen."
"What this organization does is they target very specific vehicles," said Lt. Rodney Jones. "A lot of Jeeps, Challengers, and Chargers — high-end products."
Lt. Jones said the group isn’t classified as a gang, but described its operations as highly coordinated.
"When they are recovering these cars, it’s a very unique process," Jones said. "They’re getting different VINs to put on cars or getting them shipped to different locations outside the city or different ports."
Police say the airport’s large volume of parked cars makes it a target.
"They know that people are traveling and may not get back to vehicles in a certain amount of time," Jones added.
"This joint initiative underscores the importance of interagency collaboration in addressing complex and often violent criminal crimes," APD said in a statement.
"The Atlanta Police Department remains committed to proactive enforcement to tackle auto crime and other offenses impacting public safety," the department said.
What we don't know:
Police say the investigation remains active.
Investigators believe up to a dozen more individuals may be connected to the theft ring, and more arrests are expected.
The backstory:
Car thefts at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport climbed sharply in 2024 before easing in early 2025, prompting law-enforcement agencies and airport officials to launch a sustained crackdown.
According to Atlanta police, more than 300 vehicles were stolen from airport parking lots during 2024, a significant jump from 95 reported cases in 2023. Authorities attributed the spike to a surge in "tailgating" thefts—where thieves piggyback through entry gates—and the increased availability of inexpensive electronic devices able to clone key fobs in under five minutes.
In response, the Atlanta Airport Atrium Vendor Task Force and Atlanta Police Department deployed enhanced countermeasures: testing anti-tailgating hardware, reducing free-parking grace periods to 15 minutes, bolstering surveillance with additional cameras, and integrating motorcycle patrols for quicker deterrence.
Early operations showed results. Three suspected thieves targeting vehicles at the airport’s Rental Car Center were arrested in late 2022 and 2023, generated a noticeable initial drop in thefts.
However, the problem resurfaced with the 2024 holiday travel surge. During the Thanksgiving period alone, tens of millions of passengers passed through the airport while airport staff cited a troubling rise in thefts.
By April 2025, statistics show a drop: 49 vehicles stolen from Jan. 1 to April 23 — down from 113 during the same period in 2024. Airport officials also announced parking rate hikes ahead of the busy summer season, urging travelers to "lock your cars and remove valuables" under the "Clean Car Safety Campaign".
Still, law enforcement emphasizes that more efforts are needed. Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum cited a "nearly 50% reduction" in airport thefts and credited a crackdown on organized rings, but noted that tailgating tactics persist.
What's next:
While the investigation continues, Atlanta police emphasized the progress made. Auto thefts citywide — and especially at the airport — are significantly down from last year. Officers say they remain focused on disrupting organized operations and recovering stolen vehicles.
The Source: The Atlanta Police Department provided the details and images for this article. Previous FOX 5 Atlanta reports were also used.