Car break-in prepetrators uncovered by break-in victim

ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell police are crediting a quick-thinking car break-in victim for helping them crack a rash of theft cases.

Roswell police spokeswoman Lisa Holland tells Channel 2’s Mike Petchenik the victim heard someone breaking into her car about 3:30 a.m.

“When she yelled at him, he ran, and her son ended up following him and finding him, but kept a safe distance,” says Holland.

Holland says officers quickly arrived and arrested Dequan McKinney, then later found Malcolm Wilburn and evidence of other potential crimes.

“We found several cellphones in his backpack along with cellphone chargers, identities that didn’t belong to him, such as Social Security cards, credit cards,” says Holland.  “It’s still under investigation that they may be good for other thefts and burglaries in the area.”

Clyde Forrest, who administers the web sites for two of the affected neighborhoods, Martins Landing and Studdiford, tells Petchenik he had been seeing homeowners posting messages about crimes, including break-ins and burglaries.

“This is a very trusting neighborhood and trusting area to the point where people leave their cars out,” he says.

Forrest says he recently recovered some items stolen out of a neighbor’s car, and is glad to hear police may have put a stop to these crimes.

“I’m glad to hear the guys are off the street,” he says.

Stay with Channel 2 Action News at 4:00 for more on this story.

WSBTV