Police Nab Midtown's 'No. 1' Auto Burglar

The streets of Midtown could be safer for car owners. 

Kevin Rodney Charles, whom police say is the biggest auto burglar in Zone 5 (which includes Midtown, Old Fourth Ward and Downtown) was arrested March 11.

Charles, who remains in the Fulton County Jail on $120,000 bond, faces nine charges including five counts of felony automobile break-ins.

It's his 12th arrest since 2005.

"He was finally arrested after months of surveillance," Assistant District Attorney Sharla Jackson said Monday at Neighborhood Planning Unit-M's monthly meeting.

Jackson, the Fulton County community prosecutor for the Atlanta Police Deparment's Zone 5, described Charles as the zone's "No. 1 car break-in perpetrator."

APD's Zone 5 includes Midtown, Home Park, Atlantic Station, Old Fourth Ward, Downtown and a portion of West Midtown. 

Even with the arrest, APD officials continue to stress Atlantans need to be more vigilant about securing their vehicles.

Over the last several months, commanders of the six APD zones have made the rounds at community associations and neighborhood groups, pushing the "."

Laptops, mobile phones, wallets and purses and GPS devices all make tempting treasures for auto thieves, police have said. Removing them from vehicles entirely, makes those vehicles less likely targets for thieves.