South Fulton and DeKalb County are on alert as a series of break-ins at local businesses have left owners and authorities scrambling to identify the culprits. Thieves are methodically targeting pharmacies and beauty stores, as seen in recent burglaries that resulted in the loss of thousands of dollars in merchandise. FOX 5 Atlanta reported that the burglary at Old Nat Pharmacy on Old National Highway involved thieves cutting through a back door and circumventing security measures to empty the store's safe of valuable prescription meds.
Linda Davis, owner of Old Nat Pharmacy, expressed the emotional and financial impact of the heist to FOX 5: "It really hurts for someone to come into this store and damage someone who’s really just trying to help." Surveillance footage from her pharmacy showed the perpetrators — believed to be juveniles — skillfully avoiding motion detectors and sawing into a safe to pilfer drugs such as morphine and oxycodone.
Earlier incidents in the crime spree involved beauty supply stores. According to Atlanta News First, $10,000 in cash and $500 worth of products were stolen from Angie’s Beauty Depot on Bouldercrest Road. Just days later, another incident occurred at Beauty and More on Cascade Road, where the thieves broke glass to gain entry. Despite their efforts, they left without taking any merchandise on that occasion.
DeKalb County and South Fulton police suggest that these incidents may be connected, citing the repeated use of vehicles with the same Virginia tag in the offenses. The suspects are thought to be using several vehicles with the tag TJH8014 to carry out their crimes. Concerned citizens and those with information are being urged to help the investigation by reaching out to the authorities. DeKalb County police can be contacted at (404) 286-7990, and South Fulton police have asked that tips be directed to Detective J. Rittberg via calling or texting (404) 312-0200 or by emailing [email protected]. In the meantime, businesses like Old Nat Pharmacy are taking steps to significantly beef up their security to deter further incidents.
Linda Davis is determined to overcome this setback and continue serving her community, but urges support to catch those responsible and prevent further losses. "This is my baby," she told FOX 5. South Fulton Police spokesperson Tori Cooper added to the description of the breaks-ins, describing them as "very brazen" and hinting at the possibility that these individuals might be responsible for other area burglaries.
