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A star of “Real Housewives of Atlanta” had a close call with an attempted home invasion, a local news outlet first reported on July 20.
Here’s what you need to know:
Marlo Hampton Says She Watched as ‘Armed, Masked Men Kicked Her Door Down’ in a Robbery Attempt
According to WSB-TV 2, police arrested “four suspected gang members” after a string of at least 15 “violent home invasions targeting celebrities” that took place throughout Atlanta during the past year.
One of the victims was RHOA star Marlo Hampton, who was home at the time of the incident. According to Hampton, who spoke with the local outlet, “she watched on her security system as armed, masked men kicked her door down making a loud boom.”
The incident occurred in Sandy Springs on July 1, according to the outlet.
“When I heard the boom, when I heard my nephew scream — and I knew that scream was a scream of fear, my heart dropped,” Hampton told the outlet.
Hampton says she yelled, called 911 and “went to a panic room” and the robbers fled.
“I just thank God and we’re covered in the blood of Jesus and I’m here to share this story with you. But my main concern is, I want all the ladies … I want everyone to be aware if you are posting, if you do have luxury items, be careful,” Hampton told the outlet.
Hampton “became a full-time ‘muntie’ (a combination of ‘mom’ and ‘auntie’) when she brought Michael, 14 and William, 13 to live with her two years ago” because their mother — Hampton’s sister — is dealing with legal issues, Insider reported. According to Page Six, their mother “struggles with mental health.”
Michael turned 15 in late June and Hampton shared Instagram Stories about the “epic day” she gave him, according to Bravo.
Police: Suspects Were Arrested While Attempting to Rob the ‘Children of Famous Rapper Future’ Following a Stakeout
The alleged robbers were arrested “as they attempted a home invasion at a townhouse occupied by the mother of one of the children of famous rapper Future” WSB-TV 2 reported. The home was under police surveillance at the time following a “deep investigation into the gang’s past.”
“We got lucky and we got it right,” Sergeant Matt McGinnis with the Sandy Springs Police Department told the outlet. “And as we targeted them, they came on scene. Both a foot chase and a vehicle chase ensued and we were able to take four people into custody.”
The group is suspected in “15 home invasions or burglaries in Sandy Springs alone” and more in the greater Atlanta area. “We are looking for additional people. … This is not a small group, it’s a large group of people,” McGinnis said, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
McGinnis told WSB-TV 2 the first home invasion occurred on October 1 and a resident was “shot and seriously wounded” in a July 4 robbery. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that “victims have included Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United players.”
“Be mindful that there are other people besides good guys that are watching your social media,” McGinnis said, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Guard your social media accounts, don’t leave it wide open for the world to see.”
Other Housewives Have Been Robbed
This is not the first housewife to have been robbed in recent years. The highest profile incident occurred in late October 2021 when armed men broke into “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Dorit Kemsley’s home and held her at gunpoint while they robbed her. The video footage and her account of the incident have been a big storyline for Kemsley this season.
Kemsley recounted begging for her life and the life of her children, “Don’t hurt my babies. Don’t kill me. I’m a mother.” She says one of the men told the other to “kill her.”
Another RHOBH star was also robbed.
In 2017, Richards shared that her home was robbed while she was away.
“After we were burglarized, it probably took me at least six months to feel safe in my home again,” Richards said on the show. “I was walking around with all these keys on me, locking everything up like a crazy person even though everything was already taken from us.”
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