Robbery Investigation and Arrests

On January 12, 2017, just before 2:00 pm., Officers were dispatched to the 300 building of Lancaster Ridge Apartments to the report of an Armed Robbery with an individual who had been struck by a vehicle. Upon arrival, Officers, along with the a Police Detective, collected witness statements and gathered evidence at the crime scene. The alleged victim in the case advised that he was robbed of his personal items at gunpoint by two (2) individuals who fled after the crime occurred. The victim then told Officers that he drove toward the suspects in his vehicle as they fled but they moved out of the way before he struck a vehicle in the parking lot of the  apartments. The Detective took all of this information and began to conduct a follow-up investigation. 

During the course of the investigation, additional witnesses were interviewed and additional evidence collected that led to the identification of three (3) individuals who were deemed to be responsible for the Armed Robbery.  A lookout was given to all Officers who then began to look for the individuals in an effort to take them into custody to bring resolution to this investigation. On January 21, 2017 at 0840 hrs., our agency received a call that one (1) of the suspects had returned home after being reported missing the day prior.  Officers quickly responded and were able to take the individual into custody without further incident. 

Furthermore, on January 25, 2017 at 1900 hrs., Officers were conducting undercover surveillance on Oakside Drive and were able to alertly apprehend the second suspect without incident. With two (2) of the perpetrators in custody, it afforded the case Detective the opportunity to gain additional information which assisted in the identification and subsequent arrest of the third suspect in this case. 

Chief Mark J. Mitchell stated, “Our Officers and Detectives were able to thoroughly put the pieces of the puzzle together in this investigation to ensure the suspects involved were taken into custody. Their diligence ensured a safe and successful resolution to this criminal activity”. 

Suspect Information / Charges:

Name:  Channon A. Hooks age: 17 of Canton, Ga.

Charge:  Armed Robbery

Name:  Chandler D. Lanier age: 17 of Woodstock, Ga.

Charge:  Armed Robbery

Name:  Emory Montroy age:  17 of Canton, Ga.

Charge:  Armed Robbery

 

Entering Auto Arrests

On Monday, January 23, 2017, just before 1:00 pm., Officers responded to the Burger King located off Marietta Highway. A witness had called 911 to report a suspicious male in a dark colored SUV attempting to break into a pick-up truck in the rear parking lot of the restaurant. As units along with other agency personnel responded, dispatch advised the male was leaving the Burger King and turned right onto Marietta Highway. Additionally, the 911 caller advised a female that was also in the suspicious vehicle was dropped off by the male and walked into the eatery.

Responding units quickly made contact with the suspicious SUV and initiated a traffic stop near Knox Bridge Highway. At the same time, Officers were able to make contact with the witness, secure a statement and a video that he recorded of the male attempting to make entry into a truck with a screwdriver. The witness also recorded the suspect vehicle and the female as she walked away from the Burger King over near the Ollie’s Merchandise store. Units intercepted the suspicious female before she was able to leave the area.  At that point, both the male and female were taken into custody and transported to the department for further questioning. The vehicle was secured and towed from the scene as Detectives worked to obtain a search warrant in an effort to recover stolen property.

Earlier in the day, Officers documented five (5) Entering Auto incidents where the method of entry was the same as the aforementioned criminal activity. During the traffic stop of the SUV the male was operating, Officers observed several items that appeared to have been taken from the vehicles that were entered previously. Through additional interviews, Detectives confirmed the male and female were involved in all of the Entering Auto crimes that day. During the execution of the search warrant,  numerous stolen items were located that belonged to the victims of these cases. In fact, when the valuables were recovered, Detectives discovered one (1) of the stolen items was taken during an Entering Auto incident last week in Woodstock, Ga. and another incident that happened during the same period here in our City.         

Chief Mark J. Mitchell stated, “This is what happens when citizens get involved and vigilantly become additional eyes and ears to help protect our community. We are extremely thankful for the witness who greatly assisted us in bringing these crimes to a safe and successful resolution. I am also proud of the hard work and diligence of our Officers and Detectives which keenly connected these individuals to all of the autos that were entered or attempted to be entered. Additionally, we will be working to have this citizen recognized for his efforts and assistance before a Council Meeting in the near future. 

Arrested:

Sherrick Ragland -B/M

28 years of old of Atlanta

4x Entering Auto - O.C.G.A. 16-8-18

4x Criminal Damage - O.C.G.A. 16-7-23

Criminal Attempt Entering Auto - O.C.G.A. 16-4-1

Removing or affixing license plate with intent to conceal or misrepresent- O.C.G.A 40-2-7

Driving on Suspended License- O.C.G.A. 45-1-21

Possession of a Firearm by convicted felon- O.C.G.A. 16-11-131

Leticia Rivers -B/F

27 years old of Forest Park

4x Entering Auto - O.C.G.A. 16-8-18

4x Criminal Damage - O.C.G.A. 16-7-23

1x Criminal Attempt Entering Auto - O.C.G.A. 16-4-1

     

Entering Auto and Burglary Arrest

 On January 18, 2017, the Canton Police Department arrested and charged a Mr. Christopher Tyrone Seabrooks with the crime of Entering Auto and Burglary.  Patrol Officers along with Detectives conducted an investigation into these crimes that span back to November 2016.  During that time, Officers responded to a vehicle that was entered off Juniper Street where property (tools) were taken from a pickup truck during the early morning hours.  Earlier this month, Officers responded to the report of a storage building being entered at a residence off Kennett Street.  The victim reported that a piece of building equipment was taken and also provided very helpful video surveillance of the crime which greatly assisted the department during the course of the investigation. 

Chief of Police Mark J. Mitchell stated, "The hard work of our Officers and Detective along with the assistance that we received from our citizens was key in the arrest of this individual and enables us to bring resolution to this criminal activity.  This is what happens when a Police Department and the citizens we serve work together in an effort to improve the quality of life for our great city."

Coffee with a Cop

The Police Department’s next Coffee with a Cop community event will be held on Thursday, January 19, 2017 from 10:30 am. -  12:00 pm., at the G. Cecil Pruett Community Center Family YMCA  located at 151 Waleska Street, Canton, Ga.  This is an excellent program that continues to allow Officers and citizens to connect, engage and build important trusting relationships that are vital to improving the quality of life for everyone in the community.

Chief Mark J. Mitchell stated, “We strongly believe Coffee with a Cop has become one of the most important monthly programs that we are involved in that is essential to us connecting with the citizens we serve.  Given the current tense environment in our nation between communities and law enforcement, we feel this program helps to build a foundation of trust with each segment of our community and continues to grow a very positive culture between our hard working department and this great City.” 

Chief Mitchell said, “I want to thank our citizens for their support and feedback which greatly assists us in providing better police services and also “humanizes the badge” to both adults and children.  Our hope is that our citizens will see that we truly care about them, their quality of life, their safety and what goes on in our City.”

Chief Mitchell added, “I would like to thank the YMCA and their management team for inviting us to be a part of such an important community event.”    

Community Meeting

On Thursday, January 26, 2017 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm., the Police Department will be holding its first Community Meeting of the year at the St. Paul AME Church located at 390 Crisler St., Canton, Ga. 30114.

Chief Mark J. Mitchell and members of the agency’s staff will be discussing their community goals/work projects for 2017 and partnering with attendees to talk about the importance of Police/Community trust and relationships. Also, this will be a time of important open dialogue that will be a chance for citizens to learn about what is going on in their Police Department and to express any needs, concerns or issues they have in the community or with the service rendered by the Department. Additionally, the agency hopes the meeting will provide vital feedback in order for the organization to improve its service to the community. Furthermore, there will be a question and answer session followed by a time of fellowship and pizza that will be served for those in attendance.

Chief Mitchell stated, “Our series of Community Meetings over the past several years has resulted in stronger relationships and the building of trust with our Citizens. However, we are not where we need to be and our outreach efforts with those we serve are a “Work in Progress” that needs to be continuously cultivated and not left to become stagnant. Our department fully believes that it is vitally important to connect and engage with our Citizens which will continue to pay important dividends now and in the future to allow us to effectively address criminal activity and public concerns.”

Auto Theft Suspect Apprehended

On January 9, 2017, at approximately 9:00 am, a resident from the 100 block of Juniper Street reported their white Dodge Ram had been stolen from their home.  The owner of the vehicle had started the truck and was letting it warm up while they returned inside the home.  When the owner of the vehicle went back outside he found it stolen.

A short time later, a Cherokee County Sheriffs K-9 Officer observed the vehicle entering the River Green Subdivision located on Hwy 20.  The K-9 Officer and Canton Officers located the unoccupied vehicle in a driveway of the General’s Place section of River Green.  At that point, they observed a white male near the vehicles location run into the wood line behind some homes.

Officers chased the suspect into the woods when he circled back and a citizen saw him in a backyard near where he entered the woods and notified a nearby Officer.  Officer’s quickly located him behind a home and arrested him without incident.  He was taken to the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center.

Chief of Police Mark J. Mitchell stated, "I would like to thank the Cherokee Sheriff's Office for their alert action, very timely assistance and dedicated support that played a very vital role in the apprehension of this individual.  In addition, we appreciate several of the River Green residents for getting involved by calling 911 to let us know they spotted the suspect which helped us pinpoint the suspect's location before he was taken into custody." 

The suspect was identified as:

Joshua D. Reese

26 yrs. Old

From Canton GA

Offenses:

Theft By Taking (Auto) O.C.G.A. 16-8-12 (Felony)

Obstructing or Hindering Law Enforcement Officer 16-10-24 (MISD)

Mr. Reese also had an outstanding warrant for “Failure to Appear” on a traffic offense.

Police Recruitment Program

The Police Department is currently hiring for the position of Police Officer. The agency is actively looking for diverse men and women who aspire to join a very professional organization and possess a community mindset to serve and protect the citizens of Canton. 

To further the goal of employing those candidates who are the best fit for the department, the organization will be hosting its second “Police Recruitment Program” on Tuesday, January 24, 2017, from 3:00 - 5:00 pm., on the third floor of Canton City Hall located at 151 Elizabeth Street, Canton, Ga. 30114. 

Those who are interested in attending this informative event will need to be there no later than 3:00 pm. Attendees will be given a presentation that covers the agency’s Mission Statement, Core Values, Nobility Statement, budget facts, breakdown of latest new equipment, current programs, work-projects and an overview of the organization’s structure. In addition, presenters will cover a summary of the department’s hiring standards, the hiring process and employee salary / benefits. The event will end with a question and answer session for persons in attendance. 

Chief Mark J. Mitchell stated, “We are very excited to host this event because our goal is to attract the most professional, viable, diverse and community oriented candidates that are the best fit for our organization. We are working hard to build a team that strives to connect with our citizens, protect our public, supports each other and endeavors to improve the quality of life for the community we serve.  We want to be proactive in the recruitment of Officer candidates and not simply reactive by posting the position and wait for individuals to apply.” Chief Mitchell urges citizens to monitor the department’s active Facebook page for further recruiting information over the coming weeks before the event.

The agency will also be reaching out to military outsource centers, colleges, law enforcement academies and other civic organizations in an effort to attract the best applicants for the position of Police Officer.    

 

El departamento de la policía está actualmente contratando para la posición de policías patrulleros. La agencia esta activamente buscas hombres y mujeres quién aspiran unirse a una profesional/organización y tienen la mentalidad de servir y proteger la comunidad y los ciudadanos de Cantón. La meta es emplear aquellos candidatos quiénes puedan adaptarse al departamento.

La agencia haciendo el segundo "Programa Contratación de Policía" el Martes 24 Enero del 2017, de 3:00 - 5:00 pm., en el tercio piso en 151 Elizabeth Street, Cantón, GA. 30114. Aquellos quién estén interesado en asistir a este evento necesitarán estar presente no más tarde que 3:00 pm. La asistencia es voluntaria se dará una presentación que cubre la Misión y Valores de la agencia, presupuesto, Equipo de trabajo, programas actuales, proyectos de trabajo y visión general de la agencia.

 Además, se cubrirá en resumen las normas para contratación del departamento, el proceso de contratación y salario / beneficios de empleo. El evento acabará con una sesión de pregunta y respuesta para personas interesadas.

El Jefe de Policía Mark J. Mitchell declaró, " Estamos muy emocionados por este evento, nuestra meta es a atraer a más diverso profesionales, que protejan nuestra comunidad. Candidatos que se puedan adaptar a nuestra organización. Nosotros estamos trabajando duro para construir un equipo que pueda conectarse con nuestros ciudadanos, proteger nuestro público, apoyarnos uno a los otros y que esfuercen en mejorar la calidad de vida para la comunidad que servimos. Queremos a ser proactivos en la contratación de candidatos y no simplemente esperar por que las personas apliquen."

El Jefe de Policía Mitchell los invita a unirse a la página de Facebook de el Departamento de la policía para más información del evento. La agencia estará hiendo a las centro de la fuera a militar, colegios, academias de policía y otras organizaciones en esfuerzo de atraer los mejor solicitantes para la posición de policía patrullero.