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:
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
