Residents at The Hills at Fairington in Stonecrest say they are trapped in a miserable loop of stolen hot water heaters, ripped-out copper piping and apartments that keep flooding as a result. Neighbors describe drywall crumbling, floors soaked through and personal belongings ruined after water gushes through units when tanks or lines are removed. They say the pattern has stretched on for months, leaving families scrambling for repairs and pleading for stronger security.
According to WSB‑TV, the latest incident unfolded on Sunday, when resident Artavia Scott said she heard someone inside a neighboring unit shortly before water started pouring out and a person ran from the area. The station’s reporting includes photos and video that show a water heater with cut wires and broken drywall, with flooding spreading from one apartment into others. The outlet reported that its journalist contacted police and the property manager about the situation and was waiting to hear back from authorities.
Management disputes theft claims
When the station reached the property’s manager, the manager responded that “there have been no thefts of water heaters or water outages,” according to WSB‑TV, and the reporter said attempts to get a statement in person were turned away. Neighbors, however, told the station that crews were on site repairing piping and replacing equipment after the water went out, and one resident said people were without water for almost 24 hours while repairs were made. Tenants told the outlet they have repeatedly asked management for security patrols or cameras to cut down on break ins before the next flood starts.
Why thieves target heaters
Local news investigations have documented how thieves sometimes strip copper and other metals from furnaces and water heaters, then sell the metal as scrap, leaving homes and vacant properties torn up and, in some cases, badly flooded where tanks have been removed. In one such investigation, WOIO found burglars taking furnaces and water heaters from vacant houses and leaving large puddles behind. The haul can translate into a relatively small amount of cash for thieves while sticking residents and owners with hefty repair bills.
Longer-term maintenance questions
Tenants at The Hills at Fairington say this is not just about one late night break in. They describe it as part of a broader pattern of maintenance and safety complaints along the Fairington corridor, which other reporting has flagged for recurring code and safety issues. The Atlanta Journal‑Constitution maintains a database of persistently troubled apartment complexes that lists multiple Fairington area properties with past code complaints and numerous service calls, a backdrop residents point to when they demand basic fixes. For now, they say they want a clear plan from management and visible security measures that show someone is actually trying to get in front of the problem.
How to report thefts and get help
Per DeKalb County Police Services, residents who experience burglaries or property damage should report it to the county and file incident reports so investigators can track patterns and respond appropriately. If water outages or structural damage create unsafe living conditions, tenants can also contact county code enforcement channels to seek emergency repairs and get documentation of conditions. Neighbors say they are keeping an uneasy eye out for the next break in while pressing management to present a concrete plan to secure the complex and prevent more waterlogged apartments.
