Lithonia cop loses gun, badge in Walmart auto theft
A thief who stole a 25-year-old Chevy from a Walmart in Lithonia last week got a bonus.
Police in Lithonia revealed Wednesday that the stolen C-10 pickup truck belonged to a city police officer and contained a gym bag with the officer's badge, a uniform and service weapon.
The theft created a hardship for the policeman. Ofc. Darian Barnes told the AJC Wednesday that he had to buy all his uniforms and equipment, even the Glock handgun, when he was hired two years ago, and that he couldn't work without them.
"I own all my own equipment," he said.
The Lithonia Police Department, with only four full-time officers, had to do without Barnes for a couple days until his colleagues scraped together a spare utility belt, holster and gun to loan him. And he still relies on friends and other officers to get around town. The 1985 Chevy truck was his sole means of transportation.
Barnes said the Lithonia police headquarters has nowhere for officers to leave their equipment, so they have to keep it with them at all times. He had gone to the gym, and was at Walmart to buy groceries.
"I was hungry," he said.
Barnes said he thinks his truck was stolen for spare parts.
The Lithonia Police Department is asking for the public's help to recover the truck. It was stolen around noon Friday from the Walmart at 5401 Fairington Rd. It was black, with a special Georgia antique tag numbered HA7-UCL. Barnes said black tape was holding the front passenger side turn signal lens to the body.
Anyone with information can call the Lithonia police at 770-482-8947 or the DeKalb County auto theft unit at 770-724-7650.
About the Author
Ty Tagami is a staff writer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Since joining the newspaper in 2002, he has written about everything from hurricanes to homelessness. He has deep experience covering local government and education, and can often be found under the Gold Dome when lawmakers meet or in a school somewhere in the state.
