ATLANTA — Atlanta city councilman and mayoral candidate Antonio Brown is one of the latest car theft victims within the city, he confirmed.
Police responded to a location off Verbena Street in northwest Atlanta regarding the theft just before noon on Wednesday, they said. Brown told police that he exited his car to speak with someone and, while outside, "several" males entered the unlocked car and drove away. Brown shared on social media that he was attending a ribbon-cutting for Dunkin' in the area where the crime happened.
In an interview with 11Alive on Thursday, the councilman said he believes kids captured on security camera in the area are the same ones he tried to stop from stealing his car.
"I would never thought in a million years that these four little kids would go into my vehicle from the passenger side of my car and take it," he said.
"We saw these four young kids walking alongside of the store within the plaza and exiting on Verbena Street. We didn't pay any attention to it or think anything of it. I mean, these kids had to be between the ages of 7 and at most 11 and 13 years old."
According to the Atlanta Police report, Brown told officers he tried to stop the driver and got dragged down the street before letting go of the car.
The councilman said this points to a bigger issue of kids and crime. He said he doesn't want to prosecute the children.
"I think we need to start truly looking at how can we reimagine public safety in a way where we can have diversion programs for these youth," he said.
Brown, who represents district three, which includes English Avenue and Vine City, announced this month that he would be running for mayor, just days after Keisha Lance Bottom said she would not run for re-election.
Police said they are working to determine the suspects involved and to locate the car.
On Tuesday, music artist Akon had his car stolen while he was pumping gas at a Buckhead QuikTrip.
"The Atlanta Police Department has been talking about these types of crimes and pleading with the public to take some commonsense steps to protect themselves for a long time," the department said in a statement. "Ensure your vehicle is locked and your keys are not inside, anytime you leave your car."
And on Wednesday, NFL player Janoris Jenkins reported to APD that is Rolls-Royce was stolen out of the South Economy parking lot at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The investigation is ongoing.