For a few folks who left their cars abandoned on the road last week the tow truck that came was a car thief. Authorities in Atlanta announced today that a Georgia man, Louis Mitchell Jr. age 34, was arrested and charged with auto theft and other offenses. Using an unmarked tow truck Mitchell stalked the roads looking for cars. He stole at least four cars before Police Officer Jamael Logan spotted him and gave chase. Mitchell was driving a tow truck that was stolen last month. During the chase, the tow truck crashed and the driver and passenger ran from the scene to a nearby home. Police tracked the suspect down using police dogs and he was arrested. When investigating the crime scene the police noticed more cars parked at home next door. The police questioned the neighbors and were told that Mitchell paid them to store cars on their property. Atlanta police spokesman Sgt. Greg Lyon said:
”We knew that opportunistic thieves could take advantage of the misfortunes of others and directed officers to aggressively patrol all areas where vehicles had been abandoned … Officer Logan’s attention to detail ensured the arrest of Louis Mitchell and the recovery of five stolen vehicles.”
Currently Mitchell is being held on $92,000 bail in the Atlanta City jail.
