By Shawn Henry 
A DeKalb County, Georgia mechanic says his prized vintage car was stolen while he stopped for gas, and he’s frustrated by how long it took police to respond. Scott Armstrong told reporters that his 1971 Ford Maverick, a custom vehicle valued at more than $50,000, vanished within minutes during a stop at a Chevron station on Snapfinger Road late Saturday night.
Armstrong said he went inside around 9:45 p.m. to pay for fuel and buy snacks, but when he returned, the classic car was gone. The blue two-door Maverick isn’t just a collector’s item — it’s locally known for appearing in music videos, car shows, and even a television series produced by rapper T.I. Armstrong regularly rents the car for film productions, often charging up to $1,500 per day.
After realizing the vehicle had been stolen, Armstrong called DeKalb County Police multiple times over a two-and-a-half-hour span but said no officers arrived at the scene. He expressed disappointment, saying he felt ignored despite following every step a citizen should when reporting a theft.
Police later responded with a statement explaining that multiple emergencies were unfolding at the same time, including reports of an active shooting, a theft in progress, and illegal street racing. Officials said the calls were prioritized based on immediate threats to public safety and that an officer was eventually dispatched once higher-risk incidents were under control.
Authorities have not released details about possible suspects or surveillance footage related to the theft. Armstrong said an officer later contacted him by phone to take a report and that he remains hopeful the car will be recovered.
For now, the disappearance of the well-known Ford Maverick serves as another reminder of how quickly a valuable piece of local car culture can disappear — and how frustrating it can feel when help seems far away.
John