3-time felon arrested in SW Atlanta, accused of trying to break into cars

Rafael Franklin

Credit: Atlanta Police Department

Credit: Atlanta Police Department

Rafael Franklin

A three-time convicted felon was arrested Sunday after trying to break into cars in southwest Atlanta, police said.

Rafael Franklin, 27, of Atlanta, was spotted pulling on car door handles in the 200 block of Walker Street, Atlanta police said in a Facebook post.

Police said they found two ID cards belonging to other people, a screwdriver and a firearm on him. He also had an active probation violation warrant out of Fulton County for robbery, the post said.

He’s been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and he remains in the Fulton County Jail without bond, according to jail records.

He had been convicted of felonies three times in the past, which included charges of theft, obstruction, shoplifting, altering ID and weapon possession charges, according to Georgia Department of Corrections records.

Rafael Franklin

Credit: Georgia Department of Corrections

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Credit: Georgia Department of Corrections

His last stint in prison ended Sept. 21, 2018 when he was released from the Jenkins Correctional Center in Jenkins County, records show.

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A witness said he heard him yell at his wife to grab his badge.