Crime & Safety

UPDATED: Police Investigate Connection Between Burglary and Men Claiming to be Media

Two men claiming to be media toured a damaged home that was later burglarized

UPDATED: 4:03 P.M

Gwinnett County Police have confirmed two men who visited a Lilburn-area home damaged during Monday night's storm were media representatives and were not involved in a burglary of the home later that night.

Gwinnett Police were investigating a possible connection between the home burglary and the two men who said they were reporting on storm damage.

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Police spokesman Cpl. Jake Smith said a homeowner in unincorporated Lilburn reported that he allowed two men who said they were media representatives to tour his damaged house on Tuesday. The men produced media credentials, but had no cameras and were not driving media vehicles, Smith said. GCPD has now confirmed the two men were employed by ABC News.

Smith said residents should be cautious of dealing with strangers on their property.

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“Unfortunately, we sometimes see criminals trying to take advantage of citizens in the wake of natural disasters,” Smith said. ”Be particularly wary of people claiming to be in an area for repair, clean-up, insurance, etc. Those who are present for legitimate purposes will usually be in marked vehicles with clothing or equipment that makes their business clear.”


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