DeKalb sheriff’s gun stolen from car at store

By Marcus K. Garner

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

DeKalb County Sheriff Thomas Brown’s service revolver was stolen Tuesday from his county-assigned car, police said.

“I went over there to pick out some butterfly flowers to plant at the jail,” Brown said, admitting he was somewhat embarrassed by the incident.

DeKalb County police have no suspects as of yet, but have an eye witness and video footage from a security camera at the Home Depot on Lawrenceville Highway in Stone Mountain.

“But I’m going to get him,” Brown said of the man who also reportedly snatched the radio and navigation system from the SUV.

The Sheriff’s office is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the thief, Brown said. And he said the man drove away in a Ford F-150 pick-up truck with blacked-out windows.

Brown said he arrived at the store at about 10:45 a.m., and went into the store.

“I instinctively slid [my gun] off my belt and placed it in the center console, and armed the alarm,” Brown said. “I didn’t want to take it in. I was only going in for a hot second.”

Brown said surveillance showed a man follow him to the entrance of the store, then turn around and return to the unmarked car.

“He jammed some type of tool under the key hole and opened the door,” Brown said.

Brown said his staffers, who had been on him about not wearing his gun, met him at the Home Depot after he reported the break-in.

“They actually came out to the scene specifically to tell me I should’ve had my gun,” he said. “‘What would’ve happened if I came out, and he was there with my gun?’ they asked me.”