OAKWOOD - Oakwood Police announce the arrest of Hai Quoc Bennett, 32, of Flowery Branch, following a series of smash and grab break-ins.
According to Sgt. Todd Templeton of the Oakwood Police Department between the dates of April 14 and May 7 officers responded to and investigated a total of four smash and grab burglaries at local businesses:
- April 14,2019: Swap and Trade Pawn, 3569 Atlanta Highway. The suspect approached the business at approximately 01:30 AM and smashed the front glass in an unsuccessful attempt to gain entry into the business.
- April 26, 2019: Prime Communications (Authorized AT&T Store), 4009 Winder Highway. The suspect approached the business at approximately 01:30 AM and smashed the front glass, the suspect did make entry and take various cell phone accessory items.
- May 3, 2019: Dollar General, 3572 Atlanta Highway. The suspect approached the business at approximately 01:40 AM and smashed the front glass. The suspect made entry and took multiple inexpressive cell phones.
- May 7, 2019: Dollar General, 3572 Atlanta Highway. The subject approached the business at approximately 04:30 AM and smashed the front glass. The suspect entered the business and took multiple inexpensive cell phones.
Templeton said during each of the burglaries where the suspect gained entry, he was in and out of the businesses within two minutes.
In an effort to identify the suspect, Oakwood Officer’s gathered surveillance video from each of the business victims as well as surrounding businesses.
On May 6 officers made a request for assistance from the public and released a photo of the suspect taken from the surveillance video at Prime Communications. As a result of the request for assistance, detectives received information identifying the suspect as Hai Quoc Bennett. Oakwood Investigator’s met with Investigators at Gainesville Police Department and were able to confirm Bennett had committed a similar burglary in their jurisdiction. Officer’s also discovered other unspecified evidence connecting Bennett to the burglaries.
Oakwood Police partnered with officers from the Gainesville Police Department and deputies from the Hall County Sheriff’s Office to search for and then ultimately arrest Bennett. Bennett was taken into custody by Oakwood Police on Thursday at Wal-Mart on Shallowford Road in Gainesville. At the time of his arrest, Bennett was found to be in possession of drug related items (syringes).
Bennett has been charged by Oakwood Police with four counts of smash and grab burglary and possession of drug-related objects.
