Detectives Investigate Burglary

Today, just before 5:00 am., Officers responded to the report of a burglary at Publix located at 120 Prominence Point Parkway. Upon arrival, units discovered a store employee arrived early for work and immediately noticed a male standing in the Pharmacy Department. The individual wearing a hoodie fled out of the rear of the facility. A delivery driver behind the Publix told responding officers he observed two (2) males running out of the store and into the wood line before they arrived. Officers immediately set up a perimeter, a Police K-9 was called to the scene and a subsequent track of the suspects was unsuccessful.

During the course of the investigation, Officers and Detectives have collected numerous pieces of evidence to include Pharmacy drugs and burglary tools that were used to enter the facility. From what we can tell, these individuals located a rear open door in a vacant business suite next to the Publix. They entered the empty suite and were able to knock a hole in the wall that allowed them to gain entry into the store. Indications are both perpetrators then slid across the floor to the pharmacy and were able to force their way into the department. The method of entry hid their activity from persons outside the store and stock employees who were working inside at the time of the incident. Detectives have also determined, the suspects were able to disable the store alarm system upon making entry into the facility.

Detectives are working to examine items that were left on scene in order to obtain additional evidence with the goal of identifying these individuals. It appears the criminals were interrupted as they committed the act and were not able to get away with the prescription narcotics they were attempting to steal. Additionally, Police staff will be working with other agencies in the metro area who are investigating similar incidents at stores in their jurisdictions.

This is an active investigation and anyone with information about this crime is urged to call 911 or contact the Police Department’s main number at 770-720-4883.

Agencies Searching For Lost Runner

Mr. Brendan Dowling

Update 4:25 AM, January 22, 2018. Mr. Dowling has been located on the wooded trail area. He is being evaluated by search and rescue personnel. Details to follow.
Canton Officers with the help of surrounding agencies, are attempting to locate Mr. Brendan Dowling on the walking trails behind Boling Park. He had called 911 and reported that he was lost on Rampley Trail and his cell phone battery was dying. Officers were able to locate Mr. Dowling's vehicle in Boling Park and began searching for him.

Currently, agencies are searching using ATV’s and a police helicopter in attempt to locate him. Canton Police are asking for the public to call 911 if they have any information that may help locate the subject.

Brendan Dowling:
41 yrs old from Kennesaw GA
5'7
185 lbs.
Redish blonde hair
Blue eyes.
Last seen wearing shorts and short sleeve shirt
Mr. Dowling loves to run at parks.

More information will be given when available.

Canton Police Hire New Officer

Please welcome our newest police officer, Asghar Hajloo to the department. He was sworn in on Thursday, January 18, 2018, by Judge Thomas A. Roach at Canton City Hall.

Ofc. Hajloo has four (4) years of previous law enforcement experience. He will begin the required field training program to give him the tools necessary to be a successful member of the organization.

Chief Mark Mitchell stated, "We strongly feel Officer Hajloo has the attitude, mindset and heart to serve our community and fit in with the hard working men and women in our organization".

Coffee with a Cop

The Police Department’s next Coffee with a Cop community event will be held on Friday, January 26, 2018, from 8:30 -10:30 am., at McDonald’s (1429 Riverstone Pkwy, 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.

Canton Police Arrest Escaped Prisoner

Today, at 3:45 pm., a Patrol Sergeant was contacted by the Connecticut State Police in reference to an escaped prisoner from their jurisdiction, which has been on the run from Law Enforcement for two (2) weeks.  The State Police Detective told the Sergeant they had confirmed the wanted individual made a phone call this morning from the Chevron gas station located at 370 Marietta Road.  Officers immediately responded to the area, confirmed the male was previously in the store and obtained a good description that was broadcast to all units.

In addition, the Sergeant made contact with persons at Action Church who relayed this same individual stayed at their facility last night and it was their understanding he was coming back later today.  At approximately 4:15 pm., the store clerk at the Chevron station called 911 to report the wanted person was back in the store.  A Patrol Corporal observed the wanted man in the store as other units converged to the location.  At that time, the escaped prisoner was quickly taken into custody without further incident.

Suspect Information:
Jerry Mercado age: 25 of Connecticut 

Entering Auto Arrests

On December 29, 2017 at approximately 0213 hrs., Officers were dispatched to Cherokee Overlook Drive in reference to the report of two (2) suspicious males who were looking into vehicles in the neighborhood.  Upon arrival, Officers quickly located and detained a person who matched the description given by a witness who called 911.  Upon speaking with the individual, an Officer recognized him as a passenger in a vehicle the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) had stopped on December 28, 2017.

Further investigation revealed, the Officer also alertly noted the other male associated with this incident to be in the vehicle that was stopped by GSP the previous day.  The detained subject was arrested for Loitering and Prowling at that time and transported to the Cherokee Adult Detention Center.

The next day, Criminal Investigation Division (CID) Detectives picked up the case and through interviews and additional evidence, were able to secure warrants for these two (2) individuals, which eventually cleared two (2) Entering Auto cases in Cherokee Overlook.

Chief Mark J. Mitchell added, “We are grateful members of the Community were watching out for each other when they observed these suspects in the neighborhood and called 911.  I am proud of the quick work of our Officers and Detectives to bring this investigation to a successful resolution.  This is another great example of what can happen when citizens and Law Enforcement work together to improve the quality of life in our city.”

Arrest Information:
Samuel Daniel, Age: 19 of Dacula, Ga
Desmon Stanley, Age: 21 of Canton, GA

New Officer Sworn In

We would like to introduce you to our newest Officer, Addison Bass. He is a recent graduate of the Georgia Public Safety Training Center Cherokee (GPSTC) where he became certified to become a police officer in Georgia.

Officer Bass was sworn in on Wednesday, January 3, 2018, by Judge Thomas A. Roach at Canton City Hall. His mother had the honor of pinning on his badge with friends and family in attendance.

Chief Mark J. Mitchell stated, "We are very happy to have Officer Bass with our organization and very proud of this accomplishment. He has a very bright future with our department and will do an excellent job serving the citizens of the Canton Community."

Officer Addison Bass

Ofc. Bass, Judge Thomas Roach, Heather Bass

Left to right: Capt. Tucker, Deputy Chief Merrifield, Judge Roach, Ofc. A. Bass, Capt. Turner, Chief Mark J. Mitchell