Guns, Bible stolen from SUV, U.S. Rep. Graves tells Atlanta police

U.S. Rep. Tom Graves, a Georgia Republican, was first elected to Congress in 2010.

U.S. Rep. Tom Graves, a Georgia Republican, was first elected to Congress in 2010.

Two guns, a driver’s license, credit cards, birth certificates, a laptop and a Bible were among the items stolen from a parked SUV belonging to U.S. Rep. Tom Graves, R-Ga., according to Atlanta police.

Graves and a staff member, Travis Loudermilk, had just left a Baker Street deck Saturday night when the two realized items were missing from the GMC Yukon, according to an Atlanta police report obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Loudermilk is the son of U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga.

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The two had driven to the area of Marietta and Means streets shortly after 11:15 p.m. when they noticed items missing, according to police. Investigators determined someone was able to pick the lock on the driver-side door.

Late Thursday, Graves thanked the investigators involved in the case in an emailed statement.

“I hope these knuckleheads will read the Bible and make a return,” Graves said. “Regardless, I’m very grateful for the swift response of the Atlanta Police Department, the U.S. Capitol Police and other law enforcement officers. I’m confident they will see this incident through to its conclusion.”

Numerous personal items were reported stolen, including items inside a backpack belonging to Graves’ son and a purse belonging to his wife. Both bags were left in the back seat. Graves told police his congressional ID, numerous bank cards, a checkbook, passport and Social Security papers were also missing.

“Mr. Graves also had a gun stolen from the middle console of the vehicle,” the police report states. “He was unaware of the make and model of the gun at the time.”

Loudermilk told police he also had a Glock 17 in the console that was taken, police said.

Investigators determined surveillance cameras were in place on the first and second levels of the parking deck. But Graves had parked on the fourth level, according to police. The investigation into the thefts continued Thursday.