SWAT team raid at Gainesville apartment nets 2 arrests

GAINESVILLE - Two people are facing charges after members of the Hall County Sheriff's Office SWAT Team executed a search warrant at Ridgecrest Apartments in Gainesville Tuesday.

Hall County Sheriff's Col. Jeff Strickland said officers needed reinforcement as they searched the apartment where officials believed drugs were sold and stolen property was exchanged for drugs.

"The SWAT team was requested to handle the warrant due to intelligence information indicating that the occupants were possibly armed," said Strickland.

As a result of the search, Strickland said investigators recovered stolen property valued at $4,130, and seized approximately two grams of crack cocaine and a small quantity of marijuana.

He said 18-year-old, John Fitzgerald Rucker, Jr. and 44-year-old, Debra Evetta Brown, both of Gainesville, were both arrested in relation to the search warrant.

Strickland said Rucker was charged with Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Theft by Receiving and Tampering with Evidence. He said Brown was charged with Operating a Disorderly House.

Members of the Gainesville Police Department and the Georgia State Patrol's Aviation Unit assisted in the search.