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Keys swiped at valet, 1 car stolen from popular restaurant, police say

SOUTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Several customers walked out of a south metro restaurant and realized someone stole their car keys from a valet lockbox.

The thefts happened at the Spondivitis restaurant near the airport.

The owner of the valet service told Channel 2's Tom Jones that someone popped the lock on the car key box and stole car keys and one woman's car.

“That would make me angry. I'd be upset,” said customer Jaleeya Caldwell.

Caldwell said she would be hot under the collar if she valet parked her car at the restaurant on Virginia Avenue, went inside and came out to find her car gone.

But that's exactly what happened to a woman Tuesday.

East Point police said in addition to the stolen car, the thief took 4 sets of keys from the valet lock box.

A company called APS operates the valet service.

Owner Joe Rizzo said the thief struck while two valet workers were retrieving cars.

“Somebody jumped behind the wall and pried open valet box, which has a Simplex lock on it,” Rizzo said.

The valet owner said he did everything in his power to make it right. He immediately had keys made for the customers whose keys were stolen.

“And I took the customer that had their car stolen to the airport Hertz and rented them a car right away,” Rizzo said.

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And he also has done away with the car key lockbox and has a new system.

“I mean, I feel better about that,” said customer Kevin Maxey.

Maxey explained how the system now works.

“You get your keys back, and then you give them the keys when you come out. And then they bring your car to you,” Maxey said.

There is video surveillance at the restaurant. The owner said he is working to get that and hand it over to police.

Another customer said the new system slows them down getting into the restaurant, but they said at least they know their car will be available when they come out.