Atlanta Jurassic World Exhibit burglary results in $250K in damages

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Hundreds of dinosaur fans were looking forward to the immersive experience at the Jurassic World Exhibit this Memorial Day, but officials from the exhibit said they had to shut it down and turn away fans after an overnight burglary.

Atlanta Police Department investigators said on Monday they responded to a call about a burglary on Rogers Street around 9:28 p.m. on Sunday to the exhibit located at Pullman Yards in southeast Atlanta.

Police said when they arrived, the general manager from the exhibit turned over surveillance video showing four people on the property who investigators now believe burglarized and vandalized the exhibit, causing over $250,000 in property damages.

According to the incident report, security footage captured a man damaging the exhibit by “ripping the skin covering” off one of the dinosaurs, damaging the exhibit, and stealing custom-made shirts worth $6,000 each.

On Monday around 6:30 a.m., police say a security guard saw a trespasser on the property and he was later identified as Acauan Carvalho Van Deusen. He was taken to DeKalb County Jail.

Fans told Atlanta News First that they were given QR code slips when they showed up so that they could apply for a refund.

“My husband knew that I liked it, so we came here as a surprise, he had the theme music playing and everything, and I was like ok! But we didn’t get to experience it,” Kandyce Richmond said.

Account Manager Rachel Prude released the following statement:

“It was a little disappointing because it was supposed to be a surprise, but we are going to make the best of it,” said parent Everette Wadley. “Can you imagine trying to tell an 8-year-old we’re not going to be able to see that today? So this has been trying and I’m quite sure that it’s going to be even harder to get any kind of refund.”

Police said they are still looking for three other people caught on surveillance cameras.

Copyright 2023 WANF. All rights reserved.