Investigation continues in theft at Department of Juvenile Justice

ATLANTA — A bold criminal broke into the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice on Nov. 21.

Avondale Estates police said the man hopped a fence and used a pallet he saw sitting on the ground to smash in a first floor window.

Investigators released video of the man dressed almost in all white.

Thomas Gillis is working the case for Avondale Estates police.

"The entire first level of the building was trashed," Gillis told Channel 2's Erica Byfield.

The police report says the man stole a laptop and several flat-screen monitors.

Video the police did not release shows the thief pulling a large trash can containing everything he took out the front door.

"No sensitive or confidential information was exposed either from staff or the youth that is in our protection," said Department of Juvenile Justice Communications Director Jim Shuler.

Shuler added DJJ staff immediately took the steps necessary to ensure the laptop no longer had access to any state systems.

Additionally, department leadership decided to upgrade the security at the facility.

Police found blood at the scene and sent it to the GBI for testing. Investigators suspect the thief cut himself while trying to get in the building.

There is a Crimestoppers reward for any information.

"If someone is bold enough to break into a state building they are certainly bold enough to break into your home," said Shuler.

WSBTV