Suspect Michael A. McKay wanted after $500K in AT&T cable stolen along Brookhaven road

BROOKHAVEN, Ga. — Police in Brookhaven are asking for the public’s help in locating a man accused of stealing commercial communication cables earlier this week.

Investigators say the incident occurred around 4:30 a.m. on Feb. 25 near an apartment complex between Clairmont Road and Briarwood Road along the Northeast Expressway corridor.

Officers responding to the scene found an unattended U-Haul truck stopped in the turn lane leading onto the Northeast Expressway from the complex’s upper parking deck entrance. According to police, the truck’s engine was running, the lights were off and the doors were unlocked.

Authorities searched the area but did not locate a driver or anyone nearby.

Police said they discovered communication cables that had been cut from overhead utility lines, then sliced into smaller sections and placed on the sidewalk and inside the truck’s cargo area. Investigators also recovered tools commonly used in cable thefts. In total, 119 sections of cable were seized.

An AT&T representative confirmed the cables belonged to the company and reported that approximately $500,000 worth of cable has been stolen along the DeKalb County side of the Northeast Expressway over the past six months.

Detectives later identified 36-year-old Michael A. McKay as a suspect. Warrants have been issued for his arrest on charges of criminal damage to property and criminal attempt to commit theft by taking.

McKay is described as 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing about 170 pounds. Police say he is known to wear his hair in cornrows or a full afro.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information about McKay’s whereabouts is asked to contact Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta at 404-577-8477. Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.