Patient robbers followed man before striking

ATLANTA - One motorist thought he was being safe when he drove to Lenox Square mall in Buckhead.

He went there to go to a designer shop and purchase luggage. The items start at around $1,800.

The customer left his SUV with a valet and went inside. He came out with large bags carrying the initials of the luxury brand. Inside were two pieces of luggage.

He carefully stowed the luggage in a concealed rear compartment. Next, he drove off and headed north, a couple of miles to a restaurant to meet friends for dinner. He came out, walked to his vehicle, and double clicked his key lock remote.

The customer said as soon as he opened the driver's side door, one man armed with a gun hopped into the passenger seat. A second gunman was at the rear of the vehicle and released the hatch.

It did not take long for him to figure out the men had followed him from the popular mall and patiently waited for the right opportunity to pounce. The man seated next to him said, “All we want are the Louis [Vuitton bags].”

Both men left and got into the vehicle which had been used to follow the shopper. The victim said he wanted to jot down a license plate. But the thieves thought about that and were prepared. They had covered the plate, apparently doing so while waiting in the Roswell road parking lot for their victim to finish his meal.