Silver thefts prompt elderly woman to leave Buckhead home

ATLANTA — Atlanta police are working new leads in a string of burglaries in Buckhead where thieves are stealing silver.

One recent victim, a 90-year-old woman, told Channel 2's Amy Napier Viteri she is moving from the home she's been in since 1955 after thieves recently broke in and ransacked the house on Garmon Road.

"I love this place," Lucy Richardson told Viteri. "I feel like I have to leave now."

Richardson said she returned home with her caregiver to find the side door pried open with a crowbar.

She discovered that 95 silver dollars from the 1870's, a silver teapot set intended for her granddaughter, 40 silver goblets and 40 sets of sterling silverware passed down through generations had all been stolen.

"They took everything silver, anything that was silver plate they just threw that on the floor. They knew the difference," Richardson said.

Similar to other recent crimes, the thieves took pillowcases, into which police said they put the stolen items.

Lt. Rod Woody said investigators are looking into whether this and several recent burglaries were committed by the same people.

"We're looking for possibly thee white males that are driving a darker-colored pick-up truck that we believe may be involved in these burglaries here," Woody said.

"They robbed me of my memories," Richardson said. "They robbed me of my independence."

She told Viteri thieves also stole her wedding ring. Her husband passed away 12 years ago and she's worried thieves could return, so she plans to move.

Police added patrols and a burglary unit to patrol the area. Investigators said they don't believe burglaries in the recent months are connected to other silver thefts in the area, which may be committed by another individual committing crimes across several states. Both cases are under investigation.

WSBTV