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‘They were bold’ – Thieves hit luxury car dealer in Cobb multiple times

MARIETTA — A luxury car dealership in Marietta has been hit multiple times by thieves over the past month. “I’ve never seen anything like this before…6 or 7 times in the same place, and they were bold.”

Frank Collins, inventory manager at Cobb Luxury Cars off Atlanta Road, tells WSB Radio the criminals during overnight hours broke-in the front door of the business and went straight for where the keys were kept. “They broke-in, took about 18 to 20 keys, of course they were coming back trying to get the vehicles at different times.”

When they did, the thieves drove right through security fencing on the property, across the street from the Dobbins Air Force Base complex.

Previously owned Mercedes-Benz's, BMW's, Cadillacs were stolen. “They took a 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL 450,” says Collins. (A) 2004 Cadillac XLR convertible, black, beautiful vehicle. (A) 535 BMW.” Altogether, six vehicles stolen, with two since recovered – including one just last week Collins says in Fulton County. In one case, a vehicle recovered was stolen again.

Collins estimates the price tag of the inventory lost around $100,000.  The business has also had to repair - multiple times - its front door and security fencing.

He says the thieves knew right where to go initially to get those keys. “They probably staked-out our dealership and kind of came in as a shopper, went on a test drive probably.”

Collins says surveillance video appears to show a group of thieves. “They looked pretty young – maybe 17, 16, 18. What they don’t understand is that these decisions that they’re making now will affect their lives for a long time.” Some appeared to be wearing hoodies.

Cobb police tell WSB Radio they've not yet identified suspects, and until they do, are not able to link the group to possibly a bigger operation that could be operating in the metro area.

Collins says the repeated thefts have left the 15 or so employees at Cobb Luxury Cars with frayed nerves.  “The psychological effects of it…people a little stressed about it – guys in the back (the shop), some of the sales staff. We just hope these guys don’t come back to try to hurt us.”

“It has caused us to look at things more carefully and watch our surroundings.”

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