Canton Police Department Investigate Fatality Accident

The Canton Police Department is currently investigating a fatality accident, where a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle. The accident occurred on Marietta Highway, South of Herndon Lane, on May 2, 2023, at 9:40 P.M.

Officers arrived on the scene and made contact with all parties involved. The initial investigation revealed the pedestrian was standing in the roadway on Marietta Highway and was struck by a silver Ford truck.

The pedestrian, identified as Luis Tercero Loarca, of Canton, Georgia succumbed to his injuries on scene. Mr. Tercero Loarca’s family has been notified.

The driver, Guel Socorro, of Canton, Georgia, did not sustain injuries during the accident. Damage to the vehicle has been reported as moderate.

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

Canton Police Arrest Entering Auto Suspect

 On April 7, 2023, at approximately 9:24 A.M., Canton Police Officers arrested an individual responsible for seven entering auto incidents that occurred in the City of Canton, Georgia, alone. The individual, James Norton, of Canton, Georgia was apprehended by our officers after a brief foot pursuit and charged with multiple counts of Entering Auto and traffic-related charges.

The investigation began on March 30, 2023, after officers responded to Bill Holt Mitsubishi where it was reported three entering autos had occurred. The following day, March 31, 2023, officers responded to River Walk Court, where three entering autos were reported. Lastly, on April 3, 2023, officers responded to Publix at Laurel Canyon, where one additional entering auto was reported.

Canton Detectives began investigating and quickly identified the suspect’s motorcycle with the utilization of camera footage from Bill Holt Mitsubishi and our flock cameras located in that general area. It was also determined that the suspect was targeting vehicles possessing work tools of high value.

Through this investigation, Canton Detectives located stolen property that was connected to an additional entering auto that occurred in Ball Ground, Georgia. We would like to thank the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in the arrest of this individual.

The traffic charges stemmed from two attempted traffic stops that were performed on the motorcycle by our agency on April 6, and April 7, 2023, with the second stop leading to his arrest. The suspect is currently being held at the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center and is being charged with the following:

(7) counts of Entering Auto (Felony- O.C.G.A 16-8-18)

(2) counts of Failure to Yield to Right of Way to Emergency Vehicle (Misdemeanor- O.C.G.A 40-6-74)

(2) counts of Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor- O.C.G.A 40-6-390)

(2) counts of Improper/Erratic Lane Change (Misdemeanor- O.C.G.A 40-6-48)

(1) count of No Proof of Insurance (Misdemeanor- O.C.G.A 40-6-11)

(1) Count of Driving While License Suspended (Misdemeanor- O.C.G.A 40-5-121)

This investigation is ongoing and no further details will be released at this time. If you have any information related to these incidents, please contact the Canton Police Department at (770) 720-4883.

Canton Police Department Investigate Fatality Accident

Press Release Update April 24, 2023, at 12:20 P.M.

The Canton Police Department secured warrants for Kevin Phyfe, in connection with the fatal car accident that occurred on I-575 this past March.

Kevin Phyfe, of Marietta, Georgia was taken into custody on April 21, 2023, and was released on bond the next day. Mr. Phyfe is being charged with the following:

Reckless Driving (O.C.G.A. 40-6-390, Misdemeanor) (1 count)

Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol (O.C.G.A. 40-6-391, Misdemeanor) (1 count)

Driving on the Wrong Side of the Roadway (O.C.G.A. 40-6-40, Misdemeanor) (1 count)

Serious Injury by Vehicle (O.C.G.A. 40-6-394, Felony) (1 count)

Homicide by Vehicle in the 1^st Degree (O.C.G.A. 40-6-393, Felony) (1 count)

The driver of the blue sedan, Cabrera Sylvestre was released from the hospital shortly after the accident and is recovering at home.

The accident is still under further investigation. If anyone has any information, please contact the Canton Police Department at (770) 720- 4883.

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On March 18, 2023, at approximately 5:24 P.M., Canton Police Officers were dispatched to a fatality accident on Interstate 575 Northbound just South of the Riverstone Parkway Northbound off-ramp.

When officers arrived on the scene, they observed a white Chevrolet Silverado truck on the Northbound off-ramp and a blue Honda Accord sedan in the right Northbound lane, both with extensive damage. The initial on-scene investigation revealed the white truck was traveling South on the Northbound off-ramp when it struck the blue sedan, head-on.

Officers made contact with the driver and occupant of the blue sedan. The driver Cabrera Sylvestre, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, suffered serious injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital to receive medical attention. The occupant, Sebastian Alonzo Domingo of Ellijay, Georgia, suffered life-threatening injuries and was pronounced deceased on the scene. The driver of the white truck, Kevin Phyfe, of Marietta, Georgia, suffered serious injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital to receive medical attention.

The accident is currently under investigation and an update will be provided when more information is made available.  If anyone has any information regarding this case, please contact (770) 720-4883.

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.