A DeKalb County, Georgia mechanic is speaking out after his custom 1971 Ford Maverick vanished during a quick gas station stop, and he says the more frustrating part wasn’t the theft itself but how long it took police to show up.
Gone in Minutes
Scott Armstrong told local reporters he pulled into a Chevron station on Snapfinger Road late Saturday night, stepping inside around 9:45 p.m. to pay for fuel and grab a few snacks. When he walked back outside just minutes later, the blue two-door Maverick was gone.
Not Just Another Classic
The Maverick isn’t a typical restoration project sitting in a garage. Armstrong says the vintage car, valued at more than $50,000, has built a reputation of its own around Atlanta, appearing in music videos, local car shows, and a television series tied to rapper T.I. Armstrong has also rented it out for film productions, charging as much as $1,500 a day for its use — making the loss both a personal and financial blow.
A Frustrating Wait for Police
After discovering the theft, Armstrong called DeKalb County Police repeatedly over roughly two and a half hours, but says no officers arrived at the scene during that window. He described feeling ignored despite doing everything a victim is supposed to do: calling promptly, staying available, and waiting for a response.
Police later addressed the delay directly, saying multiple emergencies were unfolding across the county at the same time, including an active shooting, a separate theft in progress, and reports of illegal street racing. Officials said dispatch prioritized calls based on immediate danger to the public, and an officer was sent to Armstrong’s location once those higher-risk situations were stabilized.
Where the Case Stands Now
No suspect information or surveillance footage has been released publicly. An officer eventually reached Armstrong by phone to take a formal report, and he says he’s still holding out hope the car turns up. The incident echoes a pattern seen elsewhere, including a recent Georgia case that drew scrutiny over how authorities handle competing emergencies — a reminder of how quickly a well-known piece of local car culture can disappear, and how long the wait for help can feel when it does.