LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT URGES AREA RESIDENTS TO LOCK VEHICLES, BE ALERT TO POTENTIAL PHONE SCAMS

South Fulton Police Chief Mitchell Maynard urges all area residents to keep vehicles locked when parked and not in use, even in driveways of residences.

According to Chief Maynard, a vehicle was stolen from a South Fulton residence early the morning of June 14, but was recovered several hours later.

"It's summer time and everyone is busy and on the move, in and out of vehicles multiple times each day. We just want to remind our area residents to keep vehicles locked at all times, even if they are parked in driveways or close the residence. Also, never leave keys in vehicles. Doing that just makes for an easy way for someone to steal the vehicle," Chief Maynard said.

"I also want to alert residents to a phone scam, which has resulted in one local person being scammed out of thousands of dollars. The caller portrays themselves as someone who has a warrant for the arrest of the person they are calling, and unless that person delivers so much money to a certain location, the caller tells the person they called, that someone will be coming to arrest them. I want to make sure everyone knows that no legitimate law enforcement agency is going to call someone on the phone and tell them they will be there to arrest them unless they deliver so much money to a specific location. That is not going to happen," Chief Maynard said.

Those who have any questions or want to verify potential scams over the telephone, when callers identify themselves as law enforcement agencies, should hang up and call their local law enforcement agency or department, Maynard said.