DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Neighbors in DeKalb County raised concerns about a convicted felon being released from jail a year after his arrest.
"We were violated basically. It was infuriating that he would break into our home," said one victim who spoke anonymously to Channel 2's Amy Napier Viteri.
The man said he is frustrated after learning Christopher Dennis, 19, also known as Lil' Chris, is already out of jail following a burglary at his home last year.
"For him to be an adult and do this and then already be out that's uncalled for that's ridiculous", the man added.
DeKalb County Police arrested Dennis in January of 2014. They charged him with felony burglary for two separate break-ins as well as criminal trespass, theft by receiving stolen property and obstruction of an officer. He pleaded guilty as a first offender and got a five-year sentence with one year to serve, according to the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office.
Dennis was released from jail on March 5.
Andrew Gasper is a retired Marine captain who lives in the Gresham Park neighborhood and sells real estate.
"They're going to be soft and make it pointless and they're going to hamstring our law enforcement officers", Gasper stated.
He said police keep making arrests only for neighbors to see the same people back in the community.
"Stuff like this, I’ve got people pretty much giving up their house and leaving", Gasper said.
A representative with the D.A.'s Office said they have community prosecutors who work to make sure neighborhood nuisances don't fall through the cracks and encourage the community to attend hearings.
The representative said that would have helped their office in making recommendations, had they been aware of the widespread issue.