Dozens of Cars Scratched at Georgia Auto Dealerships

October 18, 2013

Law officers in northeast Georgia say a vandalism spree that damaged dozens of cars is the worst they’ve ever seen.

Chris Ellison, operations manager for the Carriage Automotive Group in Gainesville, said more than 32 cars were keyed at the Nissan dealership.

Ellison tells The Times of Gainesville that a man walked onto the lot at 1:22 a.m. Sunday and scratched up the trunks and sides of the cars. He estimates the damage at his dealership alone at $20,000.

Authorities say damage also was done at Milton Martin Toyota and at Milton Martin Honda, where four cars were keyed.

Gainesville police spokesman Cpl. Kevin Holbrook said the extent of vandalism at the lots is unprecedented.

Authorities are studying video surveillance of the crime as they search for a suspect.