MARIETTA, Ga. -- Metro Atlanta police and the FBI have arrested a man and woman who they believe have broken into more than 160 automobiles since the first of the year – many of them parked in fire stations.
It's a case that gnawed at investigators for months because the thieves had targeted firefighters whose personal cars and trucks had been parked at fire stations while they served their 24 hour work shifts.
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Fire stations in Smyrna and Cobb County were among the 44 locations targeted. Elisha Ross, 22, was charged with felony theft and racketeering. His alleged accomplice was 25 year old Ayana Forest. She faces similar charges. Both are from Lawrenceville.
Police say the two suspects broke into 161 vehicles between January and may of this year – before finally getting arrested late last week. Investigators say the alleged thieves were prolific – targeting fire stations in 17 counties all over metro Atlanta, from Lamar County south of Atlanta to Bartow County, a hundred miles to the north.
"There was a lot of motivation to catch them because public safety officials have to have some level of comfort and safety at their workplace and jobs in order to perform their jobs effectively," said Smyrna police chief David Lee.
Police say the pair stole and apparently fenced more than 40 guns over the five months they were active.
