Two arrested for air pump machine thefts near Cumming

CUMMING - A man and a woman from Atlanta have been arrested by Forsyth County authorities and charged with damaging air pump machines at more than a half dozen convenience stores.

Investigators charged Cedric J. Bell, 49, and Cassandra N. Goodjohn, 36, with criminal damage and theft after their Thursday night arrests.

Authorities said they found Bell and Goodjohn after getting a description of the pair, and their vehicle, from the owner of Smart Stop 2 on Buford Highway in Cumming. The owner said he was working inside the store when he heard drilling outside. He went outside to check and told authorities he saw a man drilling into an air pump machine with a power tool. He called 911 to report the incident.

As deputies were investigating the incident at Smart Stop 2, other deputies were canvassing other stores in the area and found six additional locations where the air machines had been damaged. Investigators said money was stolen from all of the machines, as well.

Bond was set at just over $6700 for Goodjohn, according to authorities; Bell was being held without bond.