Welcome to Arrest Stories. A DeKalb County man faces charges after allegedly orchestrating a brazen theft operation that left more than ninety manhole covers missing from metro Atlanta streets, creating dangerous hazards for unsuspecting pedestrians and drivers.
Here's what may have happened.
Beginning September second, DeKalb County officials noticed manhole covers mysteriously disappearing from public streets. What started as isolated incidents quickly escalated into a systematic theft operation spanning three metro counties.
The breakthrough came September sixteenth when investigators received crucial surveillance footage. According to police reports, "On September sixteenth, investigators received a break in the case. A witness in Rockdale County obtained footage of two black males exiting a twenty twenty Nissan Kick and removing two manhole covers, placing them into the vehicle and driving away."
Police traced the vehicle's license plate, identifying Kailan Whatley as the registered owner. Investigators connected Whatley to an extensive theft ring targeting DeKalb County Public Works infrastructure. The operation allegedly spanned at least five separate occasions, with thieves systematically removing manhole covers and storm drain grates across DeKalb, Rockdale, and Gwinnett counties.
The scope proved staggering. Ninety-one manhole covers disappeared from DeKalb County alone, while at least twenty additional covers vanished from Rockdale County streets. Each theft left gaping holes in roadways, creating serious safety hazards for the community.
Local residents expressed concern about the dangerous conditions. One official warned, "We have people in the neighborhood that jog, little kids that play, and they can possibly fall in the hole."
Whatley was ultimately arrested during a traffic stop in DeKalb County. The alleged theft operation targeted essential public infrastructure, leaving taxpayers facing costly replacement expenses while creating immediate safety risks.
The investigation continues as authorities examine whether additional suspects participated in this multi-county operation targeting municipal infrastructure.
All suspects presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Do not take this report as factual, always verify facts. Thanks for watching Arrest Stories.