It’s been three weeks since a group of four armed men broke into the Sandy Springs home of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” cast member Marlo Hampton. In a Sunday social media post, the star said the experience has been a “roller coaster.”
Hampton said she has been experiencing many emotions since the July 1 incident. After alerting her family, friends and fellow “Housewives” castmates, she said it was important to allow Sandy Springs Police Department investigators to do their job.
The police department has been looking into a series of home break-ins throughout the area since October. The department believes a gang is responsible for 15 home invasions in the past year.
Victims have also included Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United players, as well as other celebrities with homes in the Sandy Springs area, police said. On July 17, four people were arrested after being intercepted by Sandy Spring Police before they got into a home in the Glenridge Heights neighborhood, which Channel 2 Action News reported was being occupied by the mother of one of the children of rapper Future.
“I had heard of just a very few recent home robberies, but I didn’t know the extent of it all! I wanted these people caught!! They have caught some, but there are still more out there that are involved!” Hampton said on Instagram. “There is so much more, but for now, what’s most important is that my nephews and I are alive.”
Hampton told Channel 2 Action News she watched on her security system as armed, masked men kicked her door down. The suspects ran away, she said, presumably after they heard yelling inside the home.
Now Hampton said she wants to make sure women in the entertainment industry are aware of the home invasions. She said women need to be careful about sharing their location and prized possessions on social media.
Hampton said she conducted a safety inspection of her home with the Sandy Springs Police Department following the home invasion. She encouraged her followers to do the same, among other tips:
- Always make sure your alarm system is up-to-date and on
- Get flood lights
- Leave music on when you’re not home
- Get active with your HOA and Neighboorhood watch
- Purchase and install a door frame reinforcer such as the StrikeMaster II Pro
- Have cameras installed around the entire perimeter of your home
- Get a metal door or frame
- Keep a charged prepaid phone in an accessible place for emergencies in case your phone lines are cut
As the investigation continues, the Sandy Springs Police Department has said more arrests are expected. Anyone with information about the home invasions can contact the police department at 770-551-6900.
