Thieves use U-Haul to steal from Walmart storage container, later crash it, police say

ATLANTA — Police are investigating two scenes after they said thieves used a U-Haul to steal from Walmart and then crashed it in Atlanta.

Channel 2's Lauren Pozen learned that the criminals broke into overflow storage containers behind the Walmart on Howell Mill Road early this morning. They used a U-Haul to load up over $4,000 worth of electronics, police said.

After the theft, police said the suspects crashed the U-Haul on Howell Mill Road and 17th Street.

At least seven suspects were involved and were able to get away. Police said the theft was the second in two days.

TRENDING STORIES:

Police say this crew could be connected to a similar crime that happened the night before.

Pozen spoke to Reginald Moorman, the night commander of the Atlanta Police Department, about the brazen thefts two nights in a row.

"It is just disturbing that they would target this business or any business and then be bold enough to do it two nights in a row around the same time," Moorman said.

Moorman said one of the cars used in Thursday's burglary was used on Friday. Walmart security called 911 as the crime unfolded just after 3:30 p.m.

"The perpetrators actually saw the officers and they were in three separate vehicles, a white Dodge Challenger, a silver Infinity and a U-Haul," Moorman said.

After seeing police, the suspects fled. About a mile and a half away from Walmart, police said the U-Haul crashed into a woman's car. She wasn't hurt, but two people inside the U-Haul got away.

A Walmart spokesman told Pozen the company said they are working on ways to become less of a target for theft, like investing in more training for their employees and more security.

Police urge anyone with information about the suspects to contact investigators.

Cox Media Group