Photos: 2 men accused of breaking into more than 100 cars
Atlanta police released new surveillance photos of two men they believe broke into more than 100 cars in Inman Park over the weekend. The latest round of tickets also prompted city leaders to call for solutions to the problem affecting residents across the city.
ATLANTA – Atlanta police have released new surveillance photos of two men they believe broke into more than 100 cars in Inman Park over the weekend. This latest string of tickets has city leaders calling for solutions to the problem that affects residents across the city.
Residents of this apartment complex say the scammers were able to do this because the complex neglected to fix a parking garage door that had been broken for months. FOX 5 spoke with a member of the Atlanta City Council who says he plans to meet with industry leaders to discuss apartment and condo safety.
“This is a crime that has saturated every corner of Atlanta,” said Atlanta City Councilman Michael J Bond.
Bond says he was outraged after learning that thieves broke into more than 100 cars, including an APD patrol car, at the Mariposa Lofts Apartment Complex Saturday morning.
“I’ve been a victim of this crime myself about 7 years ago … where I live, about 20 cars were broken into … so I understand the frustration,” Bond said.
Although the city launched a clean car campaign more than a decade ago, reports of theft have persisted in metro Atlanta.
“It’s alarming,” Bond said.
APD officials shared photos of these two men they have identified as possible suspects in this latest incident, where at least two firearms were reported stolen.
“It’s gone on and on because they’re determined to try and find weapons,” Bond said.
Bond says something needs to be done about it, starting with a meeting to talk to leaders of the Atlanta Apartment Association.
“I think it’s time for the council to sit down with them, along with the Atlanta police, to see if we can work on some solutions and requirements for those in this industry,” Bond said.
Those solutions include a push to require high-definition surveillance cameras on all properties and similar gas station legislation that members of the Public Safety Committee recently approved.
“If they’re not willing to do it themselves, we’re going to see how quickly we can come up with some regulations to protect customers, who are in these floors and high-rises, and even in private businesses,” Bond said.
In the meantime, Bond says, residents dealing with safety concerns, such as a broken parking garage door, can report those concerns to code enforcement.
“Citizens are not at the mercy of their management company. They can call the housing code and building code office if there are structural or mechanical things wrong with the property they’re renting,” Bond said.
FOX 5 reached out to Mariposa Lofts for additional comment on efforts to beef up security at the property, but did not immediately hear back.
Residents said the gate would be fixed Wednesday and said they also received emails from management about a meeting Wednesday night to address safety concerns.
The Atlanta City Council will resume meeting on August 7.
