Buyer beware: Items targeted outside stores

Posted Friday, March 10, 2006

 E-mail this page    Printer-friendly page

Lawrenceville resident Greg Hoover bought a new laptop computer at Circuit City last month, but had one more errand to run before he could take it home and fire it up.

But when he came out of the grocery store to get back into his 2002 Chevy Suburban, Hoover made a grim discovery.

The new laptop, still in its original packaging, had been stolen — less than 15 minutes after he bought it.

That scenario is happening more and more often across the metro area.

Police say thieves are watching as customers emerge from stores — often high-end electronics emporiums — and stow their expensive purchases in their vehicles.

That's when they move in, jimmying door locks and making away with computers, televisions and other high-end gear — all without setting off car alarms or breaking glass.

"We've had about five such cases a week since January," said Cpl. Darren Moloney, Gwinnett police spokesman.

Lt. Buzz Benson, head of the county police's General Crimes Unit, feels like his officers are "making progress" against such thieves. Investigators face heavy caseloads.

The majority of the incidents involved high-end electronic equipment, Moloney said. No stores are immune; thieves have struck at Circuit City, Best Buy and Fry's outlets, among others.

Rest of this AJC story

 E-mail this page
 Printer-friendly page