Atlanta event vendors say man steals from them, resells their merchandise on Facebook

ATLANTA — More victims have come forward after a bouncy house company said its equipment was held for ransom by a customer.

Since the story aired, at least three other companies told Channel 2′s Larry Spruill that it happened to them too, at the same place and with the same guy.

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“I had got a Facebook inquiry, on June 9th saying that they wanted to rent a bouncy house for the next day,” said Julissa Jones with JJ’s House of Bounce.

“I had somebody reach out to me on Facebook Marketplace, where I posted my Water slide and bounce house,” said Charlene Patrick with Kreative Vision by Char.

“I was initially contacted on Facebook Marketplace,” said Jasmine Lawrence with JAK Event Rentals.

It’s a common theme between the three business owners.

“He rented my snow cone machine and my bouncy house. He said it was for my daughter’s birthday,” said Julissa Jones.

All three were contacted by the same man.

“Thomas Jones,” said Patrick.

“He goes by the name Thomas Jones,” said Lawrence.

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Channel 2 first told you Monday about someone who goes by the name “Thomas Jones” on Facebook. Lawrence said Thomas Jones can be seen in a video watching her set up the bouncy house at the Camelot Apartments in College Park before he stole it.

After Lawrence’s story aired on Monday, Channel 2 learned she wasn’t his only victim. That’s why South Fulton police released a “Be on the Lookout” flyer that identifies the thief as William Long.

The flyer mentions that the thief contacts party planners on Facebook Marketplace and requests their bouncy houses, water slides and snow cone machines for an event.

While they set everything up, he would be close by.

“While we were setting up the equipment, the gentleman just watched us,” said Lawrence.

“They stood there, every time I set up, I always record myself setting up,” said Julissa Jones.

“He stood there the whole time and watched, said Patrick.

Before the event was over, he would text them.

“Hey I want to know what time you’re coming?” Lawrence said he would ask them.

“How far are you?” Thomas Jones would ask the business owners.

Only when they got back, did they find their equipment missing.

“Nothing, the whole ground. No water slide, bounce house, nothing was there,” said Patrick.

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“There was no bouncy house,” said Julissa Jones. That was when they said he would demand money.

“You can buy it back, from me. Do you want to buy it back from me?” said Patrick.

“I’ll sell you back your own bounce house for $500,” Thomas Jones told the victims.

All the victims said they personally saw him re-selling their equipment on Facebook Marketplace. They’re hoping the police will arrest him, so this doesn’t happen again.

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