Suspect Arrested in Oakside Drive Shooting

On February 22, 2023, at approximately 12:59 P.M., Canton Police Department responded to a firearm discharge call, in the area of Hickory Knoll Drive and Oakside Drive.

Officers arrived on the scene and located two male victims inside a vehicle, at the above-stated intersection. One victim, a 17-year-old male suffered a gunshot wound to his pelvis. He was transported to a local hospital and is in stable condition. The second victim, a 15-year-old male suffered lacerations to his left arm and received medical treatment at a local hospital.

Canton Police Detectives responded to the scene and after further investigation, were able to identify the shooter as 18-year-old, Jacob Garcia, from Canton, Georgia. At 7:10 P.M., Jacob Garcia was arrested at his residence located at 601 Hospital Road, without incident. Garcia was transported to the Cherokee County Detention Center, where he is currently being charged with the following:

Two (2) counts of Aggravated Assault with a deadly weapon (O.C.G.A 16-5-21 (a)(2) - Felony)
One (1) count of Possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of a felony (O.C.G.A 16-11-106 - Felony).

This investigation remains active, and more details will be provided when made available. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Canton Police Department at (770) 720- 4883.

Update: Arrest Made in Canton Jewelry Store Burglary Investigation

Update: 8/25/2023

On July 12, 2023, Canton Detectives secured arrest warrants for three suspects involved in the Kay Jewelers Burglary that occurred in January of 2023. Through their investigation, Canton Detectives determined over 1 million dollars worth of merchandise was taken during the incident.

Through the work of Canton Detectives and the assistance of the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, all three suspects have been charged and arrested.

Maykel Olides Hernandez was arrested on August 15, 2023, and is being charged with one (1) count of Burglary – First Degree (Felony). Hernandez is awaiting extradition from Dallas, Texas.

Javier Guerra-Morales was arrested on August 22, 2023, and is being charged with one (1) count of Burglary – First Degree (Felony). Guerra-Morales is awaiting extradition from Hialeah, Florida

Giorge Navea was arrested on August 22, 2023, and is being charged with one (1) count of Burglary – First Degree (Felony). Navea is awaiting extradition from Miami, Florida.

Chief Merrifield stated, “I appreciate the dedicated efforts of our Criminal Investigations Division along with the assistance of fellow law enforcement organizations. Hopefully, this will serve as a warning to those considering committing crimes in our area, that we will tenaciously pursue them until justice is delivered.”

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Initial Press Release: 1/9/2023

On January 4, 2023, at 11:36 P.M., Officers responded to an alarm call at Kay Jewelers, located at 1810 Cumming Highway Suite 730. Officers arrived on the scene where they checked the exterior of the building and determined all points of entry to the business were secure. While looking through the business's windows, Officers did not observe anyone in or around the business.

On January 5, 2023, at 10:47 A.M., Officers responded back to the business after the report of a burglary. While investigating the scene, Officers determined the assailants made entry to the business by cutting a hole in the roof. An unknown amount of merchandise was taken during the incident. 

Canton Detectives are actively working this investigation. They are also working with other agencies in the metro Atlanta area, who have had similar burglaries occur in their jurisdictions. Further details will be provided when they become available. We urge anyone with information to please contact the Canton Police Department at (770)720-4883.

Canton Police Department Investigating Death of a Female Toddler

Update: 12/16/2022 at 5:23 PM

This evening, Canton Detectives secured an additional felony warrant for Phillissa Diallo, in connection with the death of the female toddler. Diallo is being also charged with the following:

O.C.G.A. 16-5-1 (d) Murder 2nd Degree (1 count) (Felony).

This is still an active investigation and more details will be provided when available. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Canton Police Department at (770) 720-4883.

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Original Press Release: 12/16/2022 at 3:38 PM

Canton Police Department Investigating Death of a Female Toddler.

On Wednesday, December 14, 2022, around 4:10 PM, officers initially responded to the Canton Police Department for a walk-in report, where they received information of a deceased toddler being located inside a residence. Officers then responded to 3124 Hearthstone Landing Drive, where they located the body of a deceased female toddler in the residence. The body will be turned over to the GBI Crime Lab to determine the cause of death and identification confirmation.

Canton detectives secured two warrants for Phillissa Diallo (40 years of age), in connection with this incident. Ms. Diallo is being charged with one count of Concealing the Death of Another Person (O.C.G.A. 16-10-31) and one count of Cruelty to Children 2^nd Degree (O.C.G.A. 16-5-70). She is being held at the Cherokee County Detention Center.

Canton Detectives are actively working this investigation. Further details will be provided as the investigation progresses and will be made available. We ask anyone with information to please contact the Canton Police Department at (770) 720-4883.

Canton PD Addressing Community Concerns

The Canton Police Department is addressing community concerns after three deceased bodies were located over the span of the last 5 months, in Canton, Georgia.

On June 21, 2022, Officers recovered the body of 42-year-old, William Watkins near Reformation Parkway and Waleska Street, in the wood line. The GBI Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the case a homicide. On July 8, 2022, Canton Detectives secured a felony murder warrant for the arrest of Jacob Huckabay, in connection with the death of William Watkins. Huckabay is being held in custody and awaiting trial.

On July 16, 2022, Officers recovered the body of Pedro Hernandez-Santiago upstream, in the Etowah River, near Brown Street, North of Waleska Street. An autopsy was performed by the GBI Crime Lab. Upon completion of the autopsy, the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the cause of death to be drowning with the manner of death being accidental. The toxicology report detailed that methamphetamine was present.  There have been no investigative details to show foul play was involved, as the autopsy detailed the absence of trauma to the body.

As reported yesterday, November 17, 2022, human skeletal remains were recovered near Reformation Parkway and Waleska Street, in overgrown vegetation being cleared by the property owner. The investigation is in its early stages, and there are minimal details to provide at this time. The human skeletal remains will be turned over to the GBI Crime Lab for further examination and possible identification.

The Canton PD can confirm the Hernandez-Santiago case is not related to other cases mentioned above. Regarding the case involving the human skeletal remains recovered yesterday, Detectives are actively investigating to determine if there are any connections to the William Watkins homicide case. Further details will be provided as the investigation progresses and will be made available.

The Canton Police Department would like to emphasize there is no active threat to the public. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Canton Police Department at 770-720-4883.

Canton PD Locate Human Remains Near River

Press Release Update: Friday, December 23, 2022, at 12:23 P.M.

The human remains located in the area of Reformation Parkway and Waleska Street have been identified as:

John Waller
62-year-old of Canton, Georgia

An examination of the remains was performed by the GBI Medical Examiner's Office which provided identification; however, they are still working to determine the cause and manner of death. No further details are being released at this time due to the case remaining active and ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Canton Police department at (770) 720-4883.
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Original Press Release: November 17, 2022, at 4:03 P.M.
On Thursday, November 17, 2022, Officers responded to Reformation Parkway, near the Waleska Street underpass due to human remains being located in that area. The remains will be turned over to the GBI Crime Lab to be examined.

This incident is actively under investigation. Additional information will be made available as the investigation progresses and the remains are positively identified. 

We ask anyone with information to please contact the Canton Police Department at (770) 720-4883.

Canton PD Receives Reports of Candy Tampering

 The Canton Police Department has now received two separate reports of “candy tampering,” where sewing needles have been located.

On Wednesday, November 2, 2022, our agency contacted and urged two parents to file police reports after learning of two incidents of candy tampering from a social media post. The post described an incident where a sewing needle was located inside a ‘Reese’s Take 5” candy bar. The social media post also contained information regarding another parent who discovered a sewing needle within their child’s candy bag. After receiving the reports, we were able to determine both incidents occurred in the Great Sky neighborhood in Canton, Georgia.

We have not received any other reports of candy tampering at this time, but we caution parents to check their children’s candy thoroughly.

No serious injuries have been reported. This is an ongoing investigation, and we urge anyone with information to contact the Canton Police Department at 770-720-4883.

Pedestrian Struck by Vehicle in Canton

The Canton Police Department is currently investigating an accident where a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle. The accident occurred on October 10, 2022, at approximately 9:30 PM, on Ball Ground Highway at Riverpoint Parkway. 

Officers made contact with the pedestrian, who was conscious and alert on the scene but was transported by Cherokee County EMS and is receiving medical care. 

The driver of the vehicle did not sustain injuries and damage to the vehicle was minor.

This is an active investigation and further information will be provided when available.