Sandy Springs Apartment Complex Experiences Upwards of 60 Break-ins

Sandy Springs Police

Sandy Springs, Ga. - According to authorities in Sandy Springs, nearly sixty vehicles were broken into Monday morning at a local apartment complex.

The complex does not have a gated deck. Most of the cars had broken windows, and different items were reported as stolen - most concerning was the theft of a firearm. The incident is still under investigation, and authorities are reviewing the footage from surveillance cameras in the deck.

As a Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer, I will outline the law behind the offense of entering auto in today's post.

Entering Auto in Georgia

The Georgia Code defines entering auto in Georgia in O.C.G.A. §16-8-18 as:

If any person shall enter any automobile or other motor vehicle with the intent to commit a theft or a felony, he shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for no less than one nor more than five years, or in the discretion of the trial judge, as for a misdemeanor. 

A simple comparison would be entering auto is to automobiles as burglary in Georgia is to buildings. The offenses are mostly the same except the type of structure that is being broken into.

Georgia takes property crimes such as breaking in or robbing very seriously. The concept behind the harsher punishments for crimes of these natures is to discourage individuals from committing such acts as they are a threat to the safety of the public. 

Practice Note

Call our offices today if you have been arrested in the state of Georgia. A Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney will be able to walk you through what your options are through our firm.