Law Enforcement Investigate Possible Kidnapping

Update (8:00 AM)
After further investigation, Detectives have determined Ms. Britney Young was not kidnapped from her residence as initially indicated upon Officers arrival. Detectives are still working to determine exactly what occurred, but have established enough evidence to charge Calvin Elliott with Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police Officer (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-395). He also had an outstanding warrant for Failure to Appear from Bartow County. Ms. Britney Young was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine (O.C.G.A. § 16-13-30) and Possession of Drug Related Objects (O.C.G.A. § 16-13-32).

Update (5:00 AM)
Officers have located Ms. Britney Young in Canton and she is safe at this time.  In addition, Detectives along with the GBI have taken Mr. Calvin Elliott into custody at a residence in Pickens County.  


Detectives are working to see exactly what happened in this incident and more will be released when available to include information in reference to pending charges for Calvin Elliott.


Previous Release:
Just after 11:00 pm., on Sunday, March 18, 2018, Officers were dispatched to the report of a burglary in progress at 306 Tiffany Lane.  The female caller advised an ex-boyfriend was attempting to forcibly enter her apartment.  As an Officer arrived at the complex, he observed a black in color vehicle quickly leaving the area and attempted to stop the car but the vehicle fled the scene.  Not knowing if the 911 caller was in the car or not, units attempted to make contact with the complainant at her residence and discovered she was not there.  At this time, attempts to locate the female have been unsuccessful and it appears a Ms. Brittany Young age: 29 was taken by her ex-boyfriend a Mr. Calvin Elliott age: 32.  Both individuals are believed to be traveling in a 2007 Black Acura TL tag # RHC9353.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has been requested to assist with this active investigation.  Anyone with information about this incident is strongly urged to call 911 or the Police Department's main number at 770-720-4883.             

More information will be released when available. 

Brittany Young

Saving a Life Becomes Group Effort

On Saturday, March 10, 2018, at 12:11 pm., Officers responded to the report of a person down on the I-575 northbound off-ramp to Hickory Flat Highway (Exit # 16).  Three (3) units quickly arrived and found thirty-eight (38) year old male Mr. Austin Alan Gelder to have no pulse and not breathing.  On scene, the caller, Ms. Sherri Blalock-Whitten, advised Officers she was giving the individual a ride to the hospital because he was feeling very ill.  In addition, another passerby had stopped and was administering Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to the person down as Officers arrived.

Cpl. Jose Souto, Officer Kyle Harahus, and Officer Daniel Mendoza immediately began rendering aid to the lifeless male by taking over CPR, administering breaths from a manual respirator and utilized an assigned Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

The dedicated Officers worked as a team for several minutes as they coordinated chest compressions along with the use of the respirator and administered three (3) shocks to the patient’s heart from the AED before Cherokee Fire Medics arrived on scene.  Upon Medics arrival, they continued to work on Mr. Gelder and transported him to Northside – Cherokee Hospital as Officers cleared traffic for the ambulance.  Responding Officers later learned that Mr. Gelder was in recovery and in stable condition at the hospital due to their immediate life-saving efforts, quick response of the caller to 911 and the passerby who stopped to administer CPR.   
 
Chief of Police Mark J. Mitchell said, “Our Officers and these kind Samaritans were extremely calm, caring and worked as a team, which directly resulted in saving a human life.  We are extremely grateful that Mr. Gelder is on his way to recovery.  As proven before, the diligent mindset, attitude and heart set of our Officers, partnership with our citizens and the addition of the AED devices to our fleet strengthens our abilities to protect, serve and improve the quality of life for our community.”
The agency is coordinating the attendance of both Good Samaritans and Mr. Gelder or members of his family to the City Council Meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 5, 2018.  Chief Mitchell will present the department’s Life-Saving Award to the involved Officers and Good Samaritans at that time. 

Can you identify this good Samaritan?

The department is currently working to obtain the name of the Good Samaritan who stopped and conducted CPR because she quickly left the scene before Officers obtained her information.  Please see the attached photo of the unknown passerby. We ask if anyone has any information pertaining to this individual to contact us via our social media pages or call the Police Department at 770-720-7883.  Furthermore, please let her know that she can also contact us via our social media pages or call the main number listed above.

Law Enforcement Arrest Fleeing Entering Auto Suspect

On Friday, March 9, 2018, just after 2000 hrs., Officers were dispatched to the report of a suspicious person who attempted to open a vehicle door at the Panda Express located at 1401 Riverstone Parkway. As units responded, dispatch further advised the complainant relayed that a male wearing a black hoodie tried to open her car door as her son sat in their vehicle while she was picking up food at the restaurant. The shift Lieutenant arrived at 2008 hrs. and located an individual who matched the description of the suspect standing on the shoulder of Reinhardt College Parkway near the intersection of Riverstone Parkway. 

The Lieutenant began talking to the male who appeared to be under the influence of something but did give the Supervisor his name and date of birth. As a back-up Officer arrived, the suspicious person fled on foot across Reinhardt College Parkway toward Longhorns. Both Officers gave chase and again located the male running back toward Riverstone Parkway through the parking lot. A Georgia State Patrol Trooper who was in the area joined in the foot pursuit, caught up to the male and took him into custody without further incident. Once under arrest, the suspect was found to be in possession of a small amount of marijuana, drug-related objects and an unmarked pill bottle containing suspected Xanax pills.

Later, after the scene was clear, another call was received by a complainant at the Panda Express in reference to their vehicle door being open, ignition on and a strange cell phone left in their car. A subsequent investigation by Officers and the on-call Criminal Investigation Sergeant revealed that the suspect admitted to attempting to enter a vehicle and actually did enter another car near the Panda Express where he did leave his cellphone behind.

Chief of Police Mark J. Mitchell added, “I commend the efforts of the citizen who contacted us about this crime, the work of our Officers and want to thank the Georgia State Patrol for their support. The combined teamwork was vital to the suspect’s arrest and goes a long way toward improving the quality of life for those we serve.”

Suspect Information
Steven Neil Walker age: 34 of Jasper, Ga.

Charges
Entering Auto
VGCSA Possession of a Schedule IV Drug
VGCSA Possession of Marijuana Less than 1 oz.
Obstruction of an Officer (M)
Possession of Drug Related Objects

Mailbox Theft Arrests

On Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at 1040 hrs., Officers were dispatched to the report of two (2) individuals stealing mail from mailboxes on Evening Rain Crest and Thundering Hills Ridge in the Great Sky subdivision. Upon arrival, Officers patrolled the area, collected several witness statements and alertly located a seventeen (17) year old male and sixteen (16) year old female who matched the description of the suspects in the case.

An additional witness located numerous pieces of mail behind his residence and immediately turned the items over to Officers on scene. Units confirmed the found mail was taken from the residences in the neighborhood. At that time, Detectives responded, conducted additional interviews with witnesses and attempted to interview both perpetrators. In the end, both individuals were charged with two (2) counts of Theft by Taking but additional Theft counts are pending as we work to identify all victims in the investigation.



Suspect Information:

Teziyah Tyemiar Frederick age: 17 of Canton, Ga.

Juvenile female age: 16 of Canton, Ga.

Canton Police Hires New Officer

Please welcome our newest police officer, Greg Hardage to the department. He was sworn in on Tuesday, February 13, 2017, by Judge Thomas A. Roach at Canton City Hall.

Ofc. Hardage brings three (3) years of previous law enforcement experience to the department. 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 are extremely proud and honored to have Officer Gregory Hardage join our organization. His skill set, attitude, mindset and heart set will be a very good fit for the department and community we engage with every day."

Left to right: Ofc. Greg Hardage, Judge Thomas A. Roach, Deputy Chief Steven Merrifield

Canton Police Recruitment Program

The Police Department is currently hiring for the position of Police Officer. The agency is actively looking for diverse men and women who aspire to join a very professional organization and possess a community mindset to serve and protect the citizens of Canton. 

To further the goal of employing those candidates who are the best fit for the department, the organization will be hosting its third “Police Recruitment Program” on Thursday, February 22, 2018, from 3:00 - 5:00 pm., on the third floor of Canton City Hall located at 151 Elizabeth Street, Canton, Ga. 30114. 

Those who are interested in attending this informative event will need to be there no later than 3:00 pm. Attendees will be given a presentation that covers the agency’s Mission Statement, Core Values, Nobility Statement, budget facts, breakdown of latest new equipment, current programs, work-projects and an overview of the organization’s structure. In addition, presenters will cover a summary of the department’s hiring standards, the hiring process and employee salary / benefits. The event will end with a question and answer session for persons in attendance. 

Chief Mark J. Mitchell stated, “We are very excited to host this event because our goal is to attract the most professional, viable, diverse and community oriented candidates that are the best fit for our organization. We are working hard to build a team that strives to connect with our citizens, protect our public, supports each other and endeavors to improve the quality of life for the community we serve. We want to be proactive in the recruitment of Officer candidates and not simply reactive by posting the position and wait for individuals to apply.” Chief Mitchell urges citizens to monitor the department’s active Facebook page for further recruiting information over the coming weeks before the event.

The agency will also be reaching out to military outsource centers, colleges, law enforcement academies and other civic organizations in an effort to attract the best applicants for the position of Police Officer.    

 

                                   ........................................................................................

El departamento de la policía está actualmente contratando para la posición de policías patrulleros. La agencia esta activamente buscas hombres y mujeres quién aspiran unirse a una profesional/organización y tienen la mentalidad de servir y proteger la comunidad y los ciudadanos de Cantón. La meta es emplear aquellos candidatos quiénes puedan adaptarse al departamento.

La agencia haciendo el tercero "Programa Contratación de Policía" el Jueves 22 Febrero del 2018, de 3:00 - 5:00 pm., en el tercio piso en 151 Elizabeth Street, Cantón, GA. 30114. Aquellos quién estén interesado en asistir a este evento necesitarán estar presente no más tarde que 3:00 pm. La asistencia es voluntaria se dará una presentación que cubre la Misión y Valores de la agencia, presupuesto, Equipo de trabajo, programas actuales, proyectos de trabajo y visión general de la agencia.

Además, se cubrirá en resumen las normas para contratación del departamento, el proceso de contratación y salario / beneficios de empleo. El evento acabará con una sesión de pregunta y respuesta para personas interesadas.

El Jefe de Policía Mark J. Mitchell declaró, " Estamos muy emocionados por este evento, nuestra meta es a atraer a más diverso profesionales, que protejan nuestra comunidad. Candidatos que se puedan adaptar a nuestra organización. Nosotros estamos trabajando duro para construir un equipo que pueda conectarse con nuestros ciudadanos, proteger nuestro público, apoyarnos uno a los otros y que esfuercen en mejorar la calidad de vida para la comunidad que servimos. Queremos a ser proactivos en la contratación de candidatos y no simplemente esperar por que las personas apliquen."

El Jefe de Policía Mitchell los invita a unirse a la página de Facebook de el Departamento de la policía para más información del evento. La agencia estará hiendo a las centro de la fuera a militar, colegios, academias de policía y otras organizaciones en esfuerzo de atraer los mejor solicitantes para la posición de policía patrullero.

Publix Burglary Update

Canton Police Detectives have issued an arrest warrant for a suspect involved in the January 23, 2018, burglary that occurred at the Publix located off Prominence Point Parkway.

Detectives collected numerous pieces of physical evidence, store video and witness statements, which were vital to identifying a Mr. Marquis Gay, age: 34 of Atlanta, Ga. as one (1) of the two (2) perpetrators involved in this case.

Suspect pic as follows: 

This is an active investigation and anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Marquis Gay, his accomplice or this crime is urged to call 911 or contact the Police Department’s main number at 770-720-4883.

………………….




Previous Press Release: Tuesday, January 23, 2018


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.