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Crime & Safety

A Happy Ending to a Bad Story

A Peachtree Corners' family is glad they got their car back, but they still feel violated. Meanwhile, police have some advice.

On Monday, as part of a story on , we reported on a specific case involving the theft of a car owned by Peachtree Corners resident, Karen Vargo.  Her vehicle had been taken in broad daylight from in front of her home.

We are happy to report that Vargo’s vehicle has been recovered.  In fact, it turned up in a very public place.

“One of my friends saw the car and called,” Vargo told Peachtree Corners-Berkeley Lake Patch.com, adding that the vehicle was found in one of the parking lot of The Forum. 

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“I immediately drove to check it out,” Vargo said, “I called the police and they responded immediately, were very professional and helpful.”

What’s more, the vehicle was undamaged, which is not as strange as it may seem. 

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“We don’t track the number of cars that are recovered without damage,” said Gwinnett County Police spokesman Cpl. Jake Smith, “but I’d say it’s not uncommon.”

Vargo said that the police indicated it may have been a case of some teenagers stealing the car just to see if they could do it - like teens who shoplift when, in fact, they have plenty of money for the item they stole.

“What these "kids" don't understand is the effect it has on those they chose to randomly abuse,” Vargo said. “My family feels so violated and (we) have taken protection to a different and expensive level.”

Vargo did say that she was very impressed with the help and sense of true community service exhibited by the Gwinnett County Police Department.

“The police gave me advice on how to make my home more secure and they could not have been more helpful,” she said, adding, “I hope these perpetrators are caught; I'm sure they will try this again. I am a true believer in ‘what comes around, goes around,’ so these people better be ready for some major ‘get back’ from a Higher level.” 

Smith said it’s a good idea for people to make their vehicles a “hard” target for car thieves.

“Use a steering wheel locking device like The Club,” said Smith. “Don’t leave valuable items in plain sight inside the vehicle, always lock your doors and use a car alarm.” 

If you do become the victim of an auto theft, Smith said call the police immediately and, of course, provide them of the make, model and color of the vehicle.  But it’s also very important to provide the license plate number, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and anything distinct about the vehicle such as body damage, stickers, window tinting, special wheel designs and so forth.  This gives police unique information about the vehicle for the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). 

“A good idea is to write the tag number on the back of an insurance card and keep that in your wallet or purse,” says Smith.  “The VIN is usually printed on the insurance card.”

Smith also says that a recent photo of the vehicle can be very helpful for detectives investigating the case.

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