Car break-ins possibly gang-related

The recent spate of Buckhead car break-ins could be gang-related, Zone 2 Commander Robert Browning told the Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods Thursday night.

He said more than one group is possibly carrying out the car break-ins, which have even occurred in gated communities.

Gang involvement could be shown in the recent increase in thefts of red F-150 and Dodge Ram pickup trucks, he said. "I don't know if it's an initiation," he said.

He said the trucks are left by the side of the road, with the steering column torn out, he said. The thieves are "kind of joyriding" in the trucks, he said.

Videotapes of the crews involved in the car break-ins revealed how they are able to get into gated communities, he said.

He said one member will closely follow behind a vehicle driving into the community, or climb the fence. Then he'll open the front gate for his confederates to enter and begin breaking in to the cars before fleeing.

One curiosity is that some thieves are "just breaking a window and not stealing anything." He said the police are vigilant that such breakins are not a diversionary tactic to attract police response while a bank is robbed elsewhere.

The APD is looking into how to regulate large house parties for which Buckhead mansions are rented out. Browning said the police department has been receiving complaints about the parties.

He said about the galas that outside of noise or parking violations, "I don't know if there's anything wrong with that."

The mansion owners renting out the homes are not technically businesses, he said. A permit is not needed for big events unless they are outside.

He said the city solicitor's office is looking into the issue to see if any legal remedy is needed.