More than 100 vehicles, plus police car, broken into at Inman Park apartment complex

Broken gate leads to 100+ car break-ins

Atlanta police are investigating more than 100 cars that were broken into at an Inman Park apartment complex early Saturday morning. Even a police car was hit. Residents say this happened after continuously ignored complaints about the broken garage gate at the complex.

ATLANTA - The Atlanta Police Department (APD) is investigating more than 100 cars broken into at an apartment complex early Saturday morning. It happened at Mariposa Lofts on Montag Circle NE. 

"This is what happens when you don’t fix things," resident Jason Pollak told FOX 5. He was just one of dozens of people in for a rude awakening.

"I woke up, came down to walk my dogs, and first I saw the police car window that was busted out," resident Melissa Dorman told FOX 5.

Over 100 cars were reportedly broken into at the Mariposa Lofts in Inman Park early Saturday morning. (FOX 5 Atlanta)

An APD patrol vehicle was among the cars thieves targeted just before 7 a.m. Police confirmed at least two guns were stolen during the incident. However, neither of those guns came from the police vehicle.

Although Pollak's window had also been smashed, he told FOX 5 nothing was missing from his vehicle.

"My driver side window was broken into, glass everywhere, among about every other car in the garage," he said.

One new resident to the building told FOX 5 this was the third time just this month thieves had broken into her boyfriend’s car—which already had a busted window.

Over 100 cars were reportedly broken into at the Mariposa Lofts in Inman Park early Saturday morning. (FOX 5 Atlanta)

"You could literally reach into the window, grab something—and yet—they still broke another window," that resident, Brittany Marya, said. 

Residents blamed an open gate in the parking garage they said hasn’t been in working order for some months. 

"I think it’s really unfortunate because I know myself and a lot of us have voiced concerns about the gate being broken for so long," Dorman explained. "One gate, or the other, is always broken."

Over 100 cars were reportedly broken into at the Mariposa Lofts in Inman Park early Saturday morning. (FOX 5 Atlanta)

While they said management at the apartment shared an update that the gate could be fixed as soon as the middle of next week, they told FOX 5 they also expect to be compensated for the damage and their insurance deductibles. 

"Yeah, it’s just kind of inexcusable," Dorman said.

Over 100 cars were reportedly broken into at the Mariposa Lofts in Inman Park early Saturday morning. (FOX 5 Atlanta)

FOX 5 reached out to Mariposa Lofts to find out what efforts, if any, were being made to address security issues at the complex and whether they’ll cover the cost of damages for those residents impacted. We’re still waiting to hear back.

APD would like to remind everyone remove all valuables from their vehicles, lock their doors, and never leave their vehicles running. Theft from vehicles and auto thefts continue to rise and plague Atlanta because valuables are left in vehicles, and criminals take advantage of these opportunities.

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