There was an increased number of cases of auto break-ins and damages at the Peavine parking deck within the past couple of weeks, according to the Emory Police Department.

This trend mimics similar cases around the Emory area, including Decatur.
“We can’t say that all of these cases are related at this time,” said Lt. Cheryl Elliott of EPD. “But they are similar in pattern to incidents occurring across DeKalb County.”

According to EPD Officer Marvin Poulson, these types of break-ins have generally occurred between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. in covered parking decks.

On the morning of Aug. 26, EPD received five reports of entering auto, vehicle damage and theft to cars parked in the first level of Peavine.

A 29-year-old student returned to her car at 1:09 p.m. and found $400 worth of damage to her 2007 Infiniti. Her Ralph Lauren sunglasses, Sean John eyeglasses case and GPS unit had been removed from the car.

Another student, 26, reported damage to his 1998 Toyota Corolla. The driver’s-side rear window had been broken and a Garmin GPS unit, iPhone charger and an HP laptop, valued at $1,500, had been stolen.

A 51-year-old male staff member parked his Mercury Grand Marquis in Peavine at 9 a.m. and returned at 9:13 p.m. to find the passenger-side front window damaged. The GPS unit was also missing.

Another staff member, 49, parked her 2003 Toyota Highlander at 8:45 a.m. and returned at 1:09 p.m. The front passenger window had been broken and the cord to her GPS unit had been stolen.

EPD received another anonymous report of a vehicle damage and theft that occurred between 10 a.m. and 1:10 p.m. at the same location. The window of a 2008 Volkswagon Jetta had been broken and a GPS unit, valued at $250, had been removed.

These cases have been turned over to an investigator and are under investigation.

“If you see any suspicious people in the parking decks, please don’t hesitate to call EPD,” Elliott said. “Be aware of your surroundings and don’t leave any items of value in plain view, especially GPS units, because they tend to be easily removed.”

EPD asked that anyone with information about these incidents to call the TIPS hotline. The Emory Police cadets are also sponsoring “Operation ID” later in September for students to engrave their name on valuable items, such as GPS units, and register other valuables.

— Contact Tasha Posid