More victims have come forward after a bouncy house company said its equipment was held up for ransom by a customer.
Since the story aired, at least three other companies told Channel 2’s Larry Spruill that it happened to them, too, at the same place and with the same guy.
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“I got an inquiry on Facebook on June 9th saying they wanted to rent a bouncy house for the next day,” said Julissa Jones with JJ’s House of Bounce.
“I had someone reach out to me on Facebook Marketplace where I posted my water slide and bounce house,” said Charlene Patrick with Char’s Kreative Vision.
“I was initially contacted on Facebook Marketplace,” said Jasmine Lawrence with JAK Event Rentals.
It is a common theme among the three entrepreneurs.
“He rented my snow cone machine and my bouncy house. He said it was for my daughter’s birthday,” Julissa Jones said.
All three were contacted by the same man.
“Thomas Jones,” said Patrick.
“His name is Thomas Jones,” said Lawrence.
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Channel 2 first told you on Monday about someone going by the name “Thomas Jones” on Facebook. Lawrence said Thomas Jones can be seen on video watching her set up the bouncy house at the Camelot Apartments in College Park before stealing it.
After Lawrence’s story aired Monday, Channel 2 learned she wasn’t his only victim. That’s why South Fulton police put out a “Be on the Lookout” flyer identifying the thief as William Long.
The flyer mentions that the thief contacts party planners on Facebook Marketplace and requests their bouncy houses, water slides and snow cone machines for an event.
While they were setting everything up, he would be nearby.
The story continues
“While we were setting up the equipment, the gentleman was just looking at us,” Lawrence said.
“They just stood there, every time I ride, I always record myself,” Julissa Jones said.
“He stood there the whole time and watched,” Patrick said.
Before the event was over, he sent them a text message.
“Hey, I want to know what time you’re coming?” Lawrence said he would ask them.
“How far away are you?” Thomas Jones would ask employers.
Only when they returned did they find their gear missing.
“Nothing, the whole terrain. No water slide, bounce house, there was nothing,” Patrick said.
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“There was no bouncy house,” Julissa Jones said. That’s when they said he would demand money.
“You can buy it back, from me. You want to buy it back from me?” Patrick said.
“I’ll sell you your own bounce house for $500,” Thomas Jones told the victims.
All of the victims said they saw him personally resell their equipment on Facebook Marketplace. They hope the police arrest him, so this doesn’t happen again.
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