Two smash-and-grabs in southwest Fulton

By Kristi E. Swartz

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta police are investigating two early morning smash-and-grabs in southwest Fulton County.

The first happened at an Aaron Rents store on 2973 Headland Drive around 4 a.m., police said.

A silver Ford Taurus destroyed the front of the store for thieves to then enter and take several flat screen TVs, Atlanta police spokesman James Polite said. A white mini van waiting nearby was used to transport the TVs, Polite said.

A security camera recorded the incident.

The second smash-and-grab happened at about 45 minutes later at a package store on Cleveland Avenue.

This time a maroon-colored van was used to smash into the store front, Polite said. It's unclear what was taken from the store.

Investigators are looking at both incidents to see whether they are connected, Polite said.

Earlier this week, thieves smashed a vehicle through the front doors of the Tower Package Store in the 3100 block of Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway, just off I-285, taking about $2,000 of liquor.

Dispatchers told the AJC that police are looking for a Dodge Caravan as a "possible vehicle of interest."

Also on Monday, burglars backed a blue Dodge Caravan through the front door of the Wolf Camera store on West Paces Ferry Road near I-75 and took a flat-screen television and a couple of cameras, police said.