Canton Police use Technology to Prevent Vehicle Chase

A suspect driving a SUV attempted to flee a traffic stop and hide from Canton Police Officers, but was surprised when he was located by law enforcement after he thought he had escaped.

Canton police are now using deployable StarChase GPS tracking devices to avoid the chance of putting the public at risk by engaging in a potentially dangerous car chase. The technology is placed as a unit on the front of patrol vehicles and projects a GPS tracking device that clings to the back of the suspect’s vehicle and tracks the direction that the vehicle is heading. 

Canton Officers first used the new StarChase equipment on Sunday, October 22, 2017, at approximately 12:20 AM after attempting a traffic stop. An Officer had stopped a vehicle, which did not have working taillights and while attempting to get the driver to comply, the suspect drove away.

Another Canton officer, who was nearby, was able to locate the vehicle, which was travelling with the flow of traffic on Interstate 575 southbound where he also attempted to stop the driver using his blue lights. The driver did not stop and the officer then deployed a Star Chase GPS beacon onto the rear of the driver’s vehicle with success. Using the Star Chase GPS beacon, officers tracked the vehicle using real time information and successfully take him into custody by Cherokee County Sheriff’s Deputies.

"We are extremely grateful to have been able to purchase this important equipment. We strongly believe the utilization of the two (2) systems will further enhance our efforts to protect our community, help maintain the safety of our Officers and strengthen our ability to apprehend individuals involved in criminal activity,” stated Police Chief Mark Mitchell.

Canton Police acquired the two GPS tracking devices this past summer and will be utilizing the technology to prevent future police pursuits.

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Coffee with a Cop

The Police Department’s next Coffee with a Cop community event will be held on Tuesday, October 24, 2017 from 8:00 - 10:00 am., at the Chik-fil-A located at 130 Keith Drive, Canton, GA. This on-going outreach allows Officers and citizens to connect, engage, problem solve and build important trusting relationships which are vital to improving the quality of life for everyone in the community.

Coffee with a Cop is one of the most important monthly activities the department is involved in. The "Coffee with a Cop" program is essential for our department to continue connecting with the citizens we serve. We would like to thank Chik-fil-A and their management team for inviting our department to be a part of such an important community event.

                                   

Possible Abduction Attempt

The Canton Police Department is investigating a possible abduction attempt of a 12-yr. old male juvenile that occurred, Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at approximately 5:30 PM in the Summer Walk subdivision. The subdivision is located off Fate Conn Rd in the north part of the city.

The juvenile reported he was walking in the subdivision he lived in, when he was approached by a white male with long hair, driving a newer model, four door, black car with tinted windows.

The suspect told the juvenile his mother was sick at the hospital and she sent “them” to pick him up. The juvenile told the suspect, he had just got off the phone with his mom, and she was at home. The suspect then drove away. The juvenile arrived home and reported the incident to his mother. The juvenile was unable to determine if any passengers were in the vehicle, due to the tinted windows.

Security cameras located in the neighborhood are being reviewed in an attempt to identify the vehicle or incident.

The Canton Police Department have increased patrols in the area and will be patrolling bus stops in the community.

We are asking the community to continue to be observant and report any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods. We are urging parents to teach their kids about stranger danger and it’s OK to say no to an adult they don’t know or feel comfortable with.

If you have any information relating to this case, please contact the Canton Police Department (770-720-4883) or call 911.

Armed Robbery Investigation

On Friday, October 6, 2017, at approximately 6:18 AM., Canton Officers responded to an armed robbery call at Shottenkirk Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (200 Liberty Blvd, Canton, GA). An employee at the service department was ambushed by three black males who were armed with handguns. The suspects took the employee’s phone and three sets of keys from the service counter. The suspects each took a vehicle and fled the area before units arrived. A few minutes later, a Cherokee Sheriff's Office Deputy located one of the vehicles traveling southbound on I-575, attempted to stop the vehicle and the stolen car subsequently wrecked near I-575 and Hwy 92. The driver ran into the wood line and was unable to be located at that time.

In addition, the suspects were identified as being in their early 20’s. A more detailed description will be given when available.



Vehicle description:

2014 Grand Cherokee

Black in color

Georgia Tag: RGP4223


2017 Grand Cherokee

Black in color

Dealer drive out tag


This is an active and very fluid investigation and more will be released when available. The Police Department asks if anyone has information about this case to please call 911 or the agency at 770-720-4883.

Shots Fired Call

Update: October 5, 2017, 10:45 PM

Canton Detectives are continuing to investigate the shots fired call located at Alexander Ridge Apartments (102 Alexander Drive, Canton, GA.) that occurred on Thursday, October 5, 2017 at approximately 3:15 PM.  Detectives have interview witnesses and issued arrest warrants for the following suspects:

Nicholas Master Bell

Decatur GA.

Black Male

6’00

190 lbs.

Brown Eyes

22 yrs. Old

Arrest Warrant issued for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon- C.C.G.A. Section 16-5-21(b)(2)

Don Wesley Pitchford

Canton GA.

White Male

5’09”

120 lbs.

Green Eyes

21 Yrs. Old

Arrest Warrants issued for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon- C.C.G.A. Section 16-5-21(b)(2)  & Simple Battery -O.C.G.A. Section 16-5-23(a)(1)

This is an ongoing investigation and further information will be provided when available.

Previous Release:

On Thursday, October 5, 2017 at approximately 3:15 PM., the Canton Police Department responded to a shots fired call located at the Alexander Ridge Apartment complex.  The report came from a caller at the facility who stated, the shots occurred outside in an apartment breezeway.  Canton Officers and surrounding agencies arrived and secured the area.  They located several witnesses who were taken to the Canton PD for questioning.  There was no damage to property and no one was injured as far as we can tell at this time. 

Chief of Police Mark J. Mitchell stated, "We would like to thank the Cherokee Sheriff's Office, Holly Springs Police Department and the Cherokee County Fire Department for their rapid response and vital assistance with this situation."

Police Detectives are currently questioning witnesses and more information will be put forth when available.

CRASE - Civilian Response to Active Shooter Training

The Canton Police Department in partnership with the First Baptist Church of Canton will be hosting a community training program for Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE). This course is designed and built on the Avoid, Deny, Defend strategy that was developed by the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center located at Texas State University. Agency instructors will be teaching this course that is designed to provide strategies, guidance and a proven plan for surviving an active shooter event.

This extremely important program is open to all citizens and will be held on Tuesday, October 17, 2017 from 6:00—8:00 pm., at the First Baptist Church of Canton located at 1 Mission Point, Canton Ga. 30114. This is the rescheduled event from the prior CRASE Training session that was cancelled due to severe weather. Seating will be at a premium and on a first come - first serve basis. Children are welcome to attend but parental guidance is strongly recommended as some of the presented material will contain scenes that are sensitive to some viewers.

Chief of Police Mark J. Mitchell stated, “Throughout this year, we have held CRASE events around our City and the program has been a huge success. Close to a thousand citizens previously attended the life saving training that was very well received. I strongly believe this interaction is another avenue where we can establish long lasting relationships and trust with our community. Additionally, this also educates our community on the fact that all law enforcement in Cherokee County is educating our citizens on how to respond and react to an Active Shooter incident.”

Chief Mitchell added, “I would like to thank the First Baptist Church for working with us to host such an important community event.”