Police have broken up a major auto theft ring believed to be responsible for dozens of stolen vehicle reports in south Fulton County, Channel 2 Action News reported.
Three suspects are in custody, and police said they are looking for three more men as well as some juveniles in the ongoing investigation.
Police said a recent jump in auto thefts in the area prompted the investigation.
“We've seen a big increase in auto thefts” creating havoc in the community, College Park police Detective Dustin Matthews told Channel 2. “People were losing their property, losing their cars, and for some people, that's their livelihood.”
An investigation led to the arrests of Michael Horton, Dante Bell and Andre Robinson, authorities said.
Horton and Bell were booked into Fulton County Jail on Thursday on charges including auto theft and obstruction, according to the Fulton Sheriff's Office. Jail records for Robinson were not immediately available.
Police said they are now looking for Okori Allen, Antonio Evans Jr. and Demarcus Russell.
The suspects in custody have confessed to auto thefts in Atlanta, College Park, East Point, Hapeville, Union City and Fulton County, solving 37 cases under investigation, police said. The ring is believed to have been active in at least six cities, including Atlanta.
The suspects are believed to have stolen cars to joy ride and to use to commit other crimes, police said. Some vehicles have been recovered, others are still missing, and police are investigating whether they have ended up in chop shops.
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