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

Swearing In and Promotions Ceremony

Please welcome our newest police officer, Mary Lewis to the department. She was sworn in on Tuesday, December 13, 2017, by Judge Thomas A. Roach at Canton City Hall.

Ofc. Lewis has previous law enforcement experience with the Cobb County Police Department. She will begin the required field training program to give her the tools necessary to be a very successful member of the organization.

Chief Mark J. Mitchell stated, “We are all excited to have Officer Lewis join the CPD and truly feel she will be an excellent fit for our professional agency and great community we serve.”

Left to right: Lt. Lmmus, Lt. Campbell, Deputy Chief S. Merrifield, Lt. Baldwin, Cpl. Ayers, Sgt. M. Turner, Sgt. T. Cromer, Cpl. J. Souto, Capt. J. Tucker, Chief Mark J. Mitchell

On December 13, 2017, Chief of Police Mark J. Mitchell was joined by city officials to congratulate four (4) officers who were promoted to supervisory positions at a ceremony, conducted at City Hall.  Officers Jose Souto and Gregory Ayers were promoted to the rank of Corporal and Mary Turner and Tiffany Cromer were promoted to the rank of Sergeant.  Family members and friends were also in attendance to share in this special occasion.

Coffee with a Cop

The Police Department’s next Coffee with a Cop community event will be held on Wednesday, December 20, 2017, from 8:30 -9:30 am., at Dunkin Donuts located at 121 Marietta Hwy, 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.

Burglary Arrest

On Friday, December 1, 2017, just after 6:00 am., Officers responded to the Doss Printing Company located at 310 East Marietta Street in reference to a reported Burglary.  In addition, just after 8:00 am., Officers responded to the report of a safe being located in the parking lot of 371 West Main Street.  Arriving Officers were able to determine the safe came from the Elwell Dentist Office located at 24 Waleska Rd.  Further investigation revealed a Burglary also occurred at the dental office during the early morning hours of December 1, 2017.

Investigating Officers discovered person(s) unknown made forcible entry at both crime locations by breaking out windows.  Further evidence revealed the individual(s) responsible had apparently cut themselves because of the presence of blood at both crime scenes.  Criminal Investigation Division (CID) Detectives responded to the business and were able to collect the evidence left at both scenes.  At this time, it appears a laptop, a hard drive and currency was taken from Doss Printing and a checkbook along with a camera was stolen from the Dentist Office.

Detectives immediately began an intense investigation into both of these criminal incidents and have been able to generate a suspect in these cases through follow up interviews and additional collected evidence.  In addition to the noted Burglaries, Detectives have been able to solve an Entering Auto incident involving this same individual with the potential clearance of additional Entering Auto incidents in the future.

Suspect / Charges
Sergio Villatoro age: 18 of Canton, Ga., has been arrested and charged with (2) counts of Burglary with additional charges for Entering Auto pending at this time. 

This is an on-going and active investigation.  Detectives urge anyone who has information in reference to this criminal activity to call 911 or the Canton Police Department at 770-720-4883.   

Armed Robbery/Entering Auto Arrests

Canton Police Detectives have taken warrants today for recently arrested suspects, Channon Hooks, Willie Frank Larry and Chelsey Queen. Detectives have been conducting an on-going investigation into recent Armed Robberies and Entering Auto cases that occurred within the city.

The investigations began on October 28, 2017, after a victim was robbed during the late evening hours while walking near Marietta Rd and Kennett St. The suspects took money from the victim and threatened him with a weapon. Two (2) other similar incidents occurred on November 13, 2017 and November 28, 2017, in the same area of Marietta Rd. Extra patrols and specialized operations were put in place that later helped identify the suspects.

The accused are currently being held at the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center on charges by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office for (2) counts of Armed Robbery.

All three (3) individuals, Channon Hooks age: 17 of Canton, Willie Frank Larry age: 17 of Canton, and Chelsey Jordan Queen age: 19 of Acworth are charged with the following:

Armed Robbery (2) counts with additional charges pending for a third Robbery incident.

Entering Auto (3) counts

Incidents occurred on November 24, 2017, off Scott Mill Rd., on November 25, 2017, near the 300 block of New Point Lane and on November 25, 2017, near the 300 block of New Point Lane.

As stated in the following and previous press release by the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office, it took a true spirit of teamwork, diligence and dedication by the Criminal Investigation Divisions of both agencies to identify and charge these individuals who were preying on citizens in our community.

This is an ongoing investigation and Detectives urge anyone with information in reference to these crimes to call 911 or the Police Department at 770-720-4883.





Cherokee Sheriff's Office Press Release