Atlanta suburb sees increase in car break-ins, police say they worry it may get worse

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Marietta police say they’re worried that an uptick in car break-ins in one of Atlanta’s largest suburbs could get worse as the weather starts to warm-up.

MPD showed Channel 2′s Justin Wilfon many videos of thieves going to car after car, looking for unlocked doors.

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“People will go through flipping door handles to see which doors are open because it’s less noisy,” said Officer Chuck McPhilamy, spokesperson for the Marietta Police Department.

McPhilamy says the uptick in car break-ins is not confined to just one neighborhood, with the thieves seemingly looking for anything of value, not just guns.

“They’ll actually go inside and sit in your car and close the door behind them because they’re trying to be less obvious to the other neighbors. They can take all the time they want at that point going through every little compartment in your vehicle,” said McPhilamy.

One couple, the Browns, had left their car unlocked.

Mr. Brown says a thief broke into his wife’s car right in front of their home near the Marietta square on the same day they moved in.

“I think she was rather unsettled by the fact that whoever was getting into the vehicle could have easily been looking in our window and see her lights on, playing with the kids, getting them ready for bed,” said Brown. “We found that her wallet was taken from the center console of the vehicle.”

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Now, they want to help others from becoming a victim, too.

“I would certainly lock your vehicle at home or anywhere you go, all the time,” said Brown.

Marietta Police also ask the public to notify police of any home security camera videos that show car break-ins or suspicious activity.

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