Additional Homicide Arrest

Around 5:30 am., Wednesday, September 27, 2017, the New York / New Jersey U.S. Marshal Regional Task Force apprehended murder suspect Akilee Zakee Wilson age: 17. The individual is wanted in connected with a double homicide that occurred on Crisler Street here in Canton during the late evening hours of June 25, 2017. The task force located Wilson in a Staten Island Housing Development and contacted Canton Police Detectives who will be working with the Cherokee County D.A.’s Office and New York authorities to extradite Wilson back to Georgia to face his charges.

Akilee Zakee Wilson pictured below:

Charges: Felony Murder (2 counts) and Aggravated Assault (2 counts);

The investigation is on-going and the Police Department continues to ask anyone who knows anything about the double homicide to call 911 or contact the agency main number at 770-720-4883.

Narcotics Arrest

On Thursday, September 21, 2017, just after 1:30 pm., Canton Police Sgt. Ben Gilleland was patrolling the area of Riverstone Parkway when he observed a vehicle driving in an erratic manner. The driver of the vehicle drove through the crowded intersection at the time the light was red, sped up and recklessly turned onto the entrance ramp to I-575 Southbound nearly striking another motorist. The supervisor initiated the Patrol unit’s blue lights in an effort to catch up and stop the vehicle but the driver increased speed and exited onto exit # 19 (Cumming Highway).

Sgt. Gilleland lost sight of the vehicle but a motorist stopped and pointed that the car had entered back onto the entrance ramp to I-575 Southbound. As the Sergeant searched, he located the abandoned vehicle on the entrance ramp with the doors open and motor running as if the driver had fled the scene. The driver did flee but as he ran up a steep hill near the interstate ramp, he slipped and rolled back down the hill where Sgt. Gilleland was waiting. He immediately took the individual, Mr. Devantee Rondell Hampton, into custody.

At that time, another citizen who witnessed the event called 911 to report the driver of the reckless vehicle threw a white in color bag out of the window on I-575 Southbound near the Etowah River Bridge. Officers were able to recover the grocery bag and another bag, which contained approximately 2.5 ounces of suspected Marijuana along with a small amount of U.S. Currency. Further investigation revealed Mr. Hampton was wanted for an outstanding warrant out of Cherokee County.

Chief Mark J. Mitchell stated, “I truly appreciate the dedicated work of Sgt. Gilleland and we are extremely grateful for the assistance and support of our citizens during this incident. This is what happens when Law Enforcement and Citizens partner together to remove this type of criminal element from off the streets in our Community.”


Suspect:
Devantee Rondell Hampton age: 24 of Canton, GA.

Charges:
Felony Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana

Armed Robbery Investigation

On Thursday, September 21, 2017, just before 11:30 pm., Officers were dispatched to the report of an Armed Robbery at 12 Jefferson Circle. A description of the suspect vehicle (a red in color Dodge Dart) was given by the victim and broadcast to units as they responded. Officers quickly spotted the vehicle on Main Street as it neared Interstate 575, initiated a traffic stop and took numerous individuals that were occupying the car into custody. Officers, along with Police Detectives, arrived at the Housing Authority unit on Jefferson Circle, cordoned off the crime scene, collected additional statements and secured a search warrant for the residence.

After further investigation, Detectives were able to locate the firearm used in the crime, a felony amount of drugs. Detectives determined that the complainant in the case was set up by the suspects to meet him at the vacant residence in order to forcibly rob him of the cash and narcotics he was bringing to the meet location. Additionally, Detectives discovered none of the individuals involved lived on Jefferson Circle or in the adjoining neighborhood. The complainant who called 911 and the persons who were located in the vehicle are all being charged as a result of this investigation.

Chief Mark J. Mitchell added, "I am proud of the quick work of our Officers and Detectives who were able to bring a safe resolution to this incident and remove these individuals off the streets in our community."


Suspects and Charges:

William Harris - 19 YOA from Acworth, GA: Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault and Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute;

Shamer Jones - 19 YOA from Canton, GA: Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault and Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute;

Marissa Lemieux - 18 YOA from Jasper, GA: Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault and Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute;

Brittany McGuire - 19 YOA from Jasper, GA: Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault and Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute;

Deshaun Tiller - 18 YOA from Canton, GA: Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault and Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute;

Nicole Clary - 18 YOA from Jasper, GA: Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault and Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute;


Charges will be forthcoming on victim Shaud Pinzon, 20 YOA Duluth, GA: Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute;

This is an active investigation with the potential of additional charges in this case.


                                   

Kidnapping Investigation

Just after midnight on Sunday, September 24, 2017, Officers were dispatched to an address on John T. Pettit Street in Canton reference to the report of a Kidnapping. Upon officers’ arrival, the caller advised she went to the local Fair with her friend around 10:30 pm. but did not leave with her. The complainant told Officers that later she received a call from her friend advising that an ex-boyfriend, who was intoxicated, had taken her and she needed to call the Police. The on-scene Supervisor immediately called the victim's cell phone and obtained an open line with her but could only hear music.

The call was disconnected but the female began texting the Corporal and family members. Officers then requested a "Ping" - a GPS location of the victim's cell phone. At that time, the kidnapped female began texting her location to the police Supervisor. As additional information became available, it appeared the victim and suspect were somewhere near Chattanooga, TN close to Interstate 75 and that the two may be headed to an unknown location in Kentucky. Based on the rapidly evolving information that was coming in, it was learned the victim and suspect were at a Flying J gas station in Chattanooga. Upon contacting the station, a clerk immediately confirmed there was a Hispanic male and female occupying a grey Nissan Altima in the parking lot of the business.

At that time, members of the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) converged on the location, quickly apprehended the suspect and located the victim who is currently safe. Police Detectives will be working with Tennessee authorities to reconnect the victim back with her family in Canton and working with the Cherokee County District Attorney's Office as it relates to the extradition of the suspect back to Georgia to face his charges in this case.

Chief of Police Mark J. Mitchell stated, "We are very thankful the victim was safely located before she was seriously injured or suffered a worse fate and that the suspect was apprehended. I am very proud of the quick work of our determined Officers, appreciative of the hard work of the Cherokee Emergency Dispatch Operators and extremely grateful for the vigilant assistance by our fellow Law Enforcement professionals from the Tennessee Highway Patrol."

Chief Mitchell added, “It is extremely important to recognize the fact the victim in this case never gave up and had a strong will to survive this volatile situation which played a key role in finding her and arresting the suspect.”


Suspect:

Derbi Tito Morales-Reynoso - Age: 24 of Canton, Ga. and known to frequent Covington, Kentucky.

Charges: Kidnapping with bodily injury with additional charges pending.

Also, has been charged with Kidnapping, DUI and Driving While Suspended by the State of Tennessee.


Victim: 

Hispanic Female - Age: 24 of Canton, Ga - name withheld as the case is still under investigation.

                                             

Swearing-In Ceremony

Three new recruits were sworn in to the Canton Police Department this afternoon. During the ceremony, which was held at Canton City Hall, three (3) Canton Police Officers were sworn in by Judge Caudill and each given their new badge. Family, friends and other member of the Canton Police force were in attendance to show their support for the new Officers.

Officers Taina Cruz, Robert Marinaccio and Alexzander Crawford each successfully completed the Officer training course at Cherokee County GPSTC Training facility. Officer Cruz was awarded the "Class Flag" from the GPSTC Training facility for being one of the best recruits in the class. 

Officer Marinaccio came to the department with over thirty (30) years of policing experience while Officer Crawford previously worked in corrections. Officer Cruz previously trained to work with Sandy Springs Police.

Group Picture (Left to Right): Judge Caudill, Officer Sweat, Capt. Tucker, Capt. Turner, Deputy Chief Merrifield, Officer Marinaccio, Officer Cruz, Officer Crawford, Lt. Lummus, Chief Mitchell and Sgt. Hoffman. 

Coffee with a Cop

The Police Department’s next Coffee with a Cop community event will be held on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 from 9:00 - 11:00 am., at the Starbucks located at 1353 Riverstone Parkway #110, 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 Starbucks and their management team for inviting our department to be a part of such an important community event.





                                                           

Missing/Endangered Adult Male Located

Update: September 19,2017

Mr. Williams was located this afternoon by Cherokee County Sheriff's Deputies and is safe. We would like to thank the Cherokee Sheriff's Office for their assistance.

                       Please help us locate Kenneth Williams.  Williams was last seen near the Chevron (4129 Marietta Hwy, Canton, GA.  30114) at around 10:00 PM, Monday, September 18, 2017.  He was dropped off at the Chevron by a friend, who stated Williams had said that he may attempt to harm himself.

Canton Officers, Detectives and other agencies have been made aware and are attempting to locate Mr. Williams. If you have any information on the whereabouts of Williams, please call 911.

Williams, Kenneth

37 yrs. Old

White male, red hair and green eyes

Last seen wearing: Orange hat, white tank top, light colored shorts

Home:  Ellijay, Ga