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Suspect in serial burglaries captured by Sandy Springs police

NORTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga — Sandy Springs police said they’ve captured the man responsible for a series of car break-ins in the city.

Police told Channel 2’s Mike Petchenik that Kelton Jackson, 28, admitted to at least nine break-ins, including Carolyn Shapiro's car.

“I walked up to my car and saw a bunch of stuff in my front seat,” Shapiro told Petchenik.  “I got really nervous, looked over to the side and my window was completely shattered.”

Shapiro said she noticed her SUV was ransacked.

“My purse with my wallet, everything in my wallet,” she said.  “A ton of gift cards.  A ton of clothes, jackets.  Everything he could find, he went through every inch of it.”

A few days later, Shapiro got a call from Sandy Springs police that they had recovered several of the stolen items from Jackson’s room at a Decatur extended-stay hotel room.  Among them, a $100 bill she’d received as a birthday gift in the days before the break-in.

“It was found in his pocket,” said Shapiro.

She said police were able to match the serial number of the bill found with Jackson to a picture she’d taken of the bill weeks earlier.

Police said they captured Jackson after another would-be victim heard his car alarm go off, then followed Jackson and got a tag number.  Police said they found several stolen items, including a Taser taken from an area police department.

They said Jackson admitted he targeted vehicles in which victims left items sitting out in plain view.

“People leaving things in their vehicles: golf clubs, firearms, credit cards, purses, clothing, you name it,” said Sgt. Ron Momon. “We suggest to people to clear your car out and not to leave any open items in your vehicle.”

Momon said Jackson has an extensive criminal history including charges of robbery, burglary and drugs.

“You name it, he’s been involved in it,” said Momon.

Shapiro said she was thankful to hear of the arrest and that she retrieved some of the stolen items.

“I’m hoping all these people have justice and this person is where he belongs and where he should be,” she said.