Public Indecency Arrest

On Friday, March 17, 2017, a concerned citizen called 911 to report an individual watching pornographic material and exposing his genitals in the parking lot of the Target located in the Canton Market Place Shopping Center off Ga. Hwy 20 near I-575.  Before responding Officers arrived, the male fled the scene in a newer model red Mini Cooper.  However, the caller was able to provide a very good description of the suspect before he left the area.  At that time, Officers began an investigation into the incident, searched for the individual and through evidence / statements collected secured warrants for the suspect's arrest.  

During the early evening of Thursday, March 23, 2017, Officers again responded to the same location as before in reference to a subject in a red Mini Cooper watching lewd videos and exposing himself in-front of the caller, another adult and a child.  The suspect again fled before Officers arrived.  Responding Officers collected additional evidence, statements and secured further arrest warrants for the same male that committed this act on March 17, 2017.  With further leads on his whereabouts, the Cobb Police Department located the suspect in their jurisdiction this morning and took him into custody where he was transported to the Cherokee Sheriff's Office Adult Detention Center.  

Arrested:

Jeffrey Mark Lanford age: 40 of Roswell, Ga. 

Charges:

Public Indecency two (2) counts

Child Molestation one (1) count

Police Detectives are asking if there is anyone who knows of additional incidents involving this suspect to please contact the department at 770-720-4883. 

Chief Mark J. Mitchell stated, "We are grateful for these citizens who were very aware of their surroundings, got involved and provided extremely vital information that led to the arrest of this individual before any additional crimes occurred.  This is what happens when law enforcement and citizens work together in an effort to improve the quality of life for our community."   

Tagging Arrest

Over the past month, Officers have responded to eight (8) incidents involving tagging / graffiti where individual (s) have spray painted different symbols on both public and private property around the City. Officers and the assigned Detective began to conduct a follow up investigation and were able to positively identify a suspect and also obtain the physical evidence needed to secure arrest warrants for the individual in all eight (8) of these cases. 

On Friday, March 10, 2017, the suspect, Mr. Dawson Wagner age: 17 of  Woodstock, Ga., was arrested, subsequently interviewed and booked into the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office Adult Detention Facility for eight (8) counts of Criminal Trespass.        

Canton Police Chief Mark J. Mitchell stated, “Our Officers and investigating Detective worked hard in their response, investigation and arrest of this individual which brought a successful resolution to these criminal acts. This arrest also shows there is no room for this type of activity in our City and furthers our efforts to protect and improve the quality of life for those we serve.”

Multi-Agency Coffee with a Cop

The next Coffee with a Cop community event will be a Multi-Agency program held on Friday, March 24, 2017 from 8:00 - 10:00 am., at Cup Up Coffee located at 210 East Main Street, Canton, Ga. This excellent program will not only include members of our Police Department but will also involve members of the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office, Cherokee Marshals Office, Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad, Woodstock Police Department, Holly Springs Police Department, Ball Ground Police Department, Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office, the Cherokee County Solicitor’s Office and the Georgia State Patrol. 

Chief Mark J. Mitchell stated, “All Law Enforcement agencies in Cherokee County strongly feel that community events such as this are essential to us connecting and engaging with the citizens we serve.  We also believe this program will help to build a foundation of trust with each segment of our communities and will grow a very positive culture between our hard working departments and this great County. Our departments want to thank our citizens for their support and feedback which greatly assists us in providing better Law Enforcement services and also “humanizes the badge” for both adults and children. Our hope is our citizens will see we truly care about them, their quality of life, their safety and what goes on in our Communities.”

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