SANDY SPRINGS, GA — The man behind multiple thefts in the Sandy Springs area was arrested recently thanks to the help of a doorbell camera and neighborhood security camera.
On July 9, Sandy Springs Police Officer Hunt began investigating two package thefts from homes in the same area. A video from a doorbell camera captured the suspect taking a package from the front door of a home. The man could be seen getting into a light colored SUV and leaving the area.
The neighborhood also had installed a Flock Safety tag reader camera. The camera was able to capture the suspect’s vehicle and tag number.
Using this information, the detectives added the tag number to the Flock alert system. Whenever a tag reader camera recorded that vehicle passing by, officers were sent an alert.
On July 15, officers were able to locate the vehicle after an alert was sent. The car was stopped and the driver was identified.
Initially, the driver provided a false name and date of birth with a fraudulent Michigan driver’s license. Officers were able to determine the real identity of the suspect as Matthew Robert Brown, 34.
A search of the suspect’s vehicle found eight credit cards with different names, 17 pieces of mail with different names, and drugs.
Brown also had multiple warrants from Atlanta Police and Fulton County Police for identify theft, fraud, and burglary.
In total, 34 warrants were obtained for Brown for Theft by Taking, Theft by Receiving Stolen Property, Financial Transaction Card Fraud, Giving False Name and Date of Birth, Identity Fraud, and Drug Possession. He was transported to the Fulton County Jail.
Sandy Springs Police anticipate there will be numerous victims of identity theft. Anyone with information can contact the detective division at 770-551-6949 or email Sgt. Ortega at sortega@sandyspringsga.gov.