CHAMBLEE, Georgia. – Chamblee Police are asking for the public’s help in locating a man accused of stealing more than $30,000 worth of antiques from a local store.
According to officials, the man entered the Chamblee Antiques and Home Decor store in the 3500 block of Broad Street at 1:15 p.m. on July 2.
“You hear this loud, heavy cracking sound, and then he walks away. It looks like he’s carrying something in the front pocket of his hoodie,” said Chamblee Police Detective Nathan Wolf.
During his stay there, investigators said, the man stole a Chinese jade brush pot valued at $32,000, a rosewood stand for the pot and a copy of the book “Masterpieces of Chinese Jade in the National Palace Museum.”
“It was simply a very brazen and impudent action at 1 p.m.,” said Det. Wolf.
(Chamblee Police Department)
Investigators described the suspected thief as a stocky white man wearing a gray Carhartt hoodie, khaki pants, black shoes, a surgical mask, black glasses and a hat.
Det. Wolf says after reviewing surveillance video, the same guy was seen at the store just days earlier, possibly scouting the store.
“He was in the store about the Saturday before, but he was wearing different clothes but the same hat,” the detective said.
The store owner has posted a photo of the man next to the cash register, but police are hoping someone out there will recognize him.
“Even though he is wearing a mask, he has a unique appearance, especially the hat he is wearing,” said Det. Wolf.
The man was seen wearing the same hat both times, the detective revealed. He believes the distinctive look will help find the man.
(Chamblee Police Department)
He adds that in his opinion it was more of a crime of opportunity.
“I don’t think this is a major Ocean’s 11-style art heist or anything like that. I just think this was someone rummaging around the store and found an item that looked valuable but was way out of their price range. Maybe they said to themselves, well, maybe I’ll just take the five-finger discount, pick the lock and walk out the front door,” said Det. Wolf.
If you have any information that could assist investigators, please contact Chamblee Police at (770) 986-5005.
