A Christmas Eve smash-and-grab targeting a GameStop on Lawrenceville Highway in Lilburn, left a neighboring family-owned shipping store heavily damaged, part of what police say may be a larger crime spree.
Danny Taylor, owner of the Mail and Package Center, spent Christmas Eve cleaning up shattered glass and debris after a stolen car crashed into his store before hitting the Lilburn GameStop location next door.
“I’ve found bits and pieces of broken glass,” Taylor said, describing the aftermath. “They did more damage than any amount of revenue they could get trying to flip stolen property.”
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The crash happened when thieves used a stolen car to break into the GameStop at around 4 in the morning on Christmas Eve. Before reaching their target, the car accidentally crashed into Taylor’s store, damaging windows, a security gate, and several copiers.
Video from the GameStop in Lilburn shows the suspects stealing gaming consoles and other electronics after the crash.
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The incident is part of a troubling trend. On Dec. 14, another smash-and-grab was reported at a GameStop on Rockbridge Road, about seven miles away. In October, a break-in attempt caused damage at a GameStop on Panola Road in DeKalb County. Police are investigating whether the same group is responsible for all three incidents.
Taylor, whose family has owned the Mail and Package Center in Lilburn for 30 years, said the damage is a major setback, but he remains determined to rebuild.
“There’s immense frustration that I have to deal with it,” Taylor said. “Thankfully I wasn’t here, thankfully the customers weren’t here.”
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As police work to track down the suspects, Taylor said the incident won’t destroy the business he and his family have worked so hard to build.
“There’s no blood yet, but sweat, and maybe down the road a few tears,” Taylor said.
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