Three men from the same family have been arrested following several months of investigation into a local theft ring.
Carlos Ernesto Lopez Jr, 19, of Gainesville, Jan Carlos Lopez, 22, of Oakwood, and Michael David Lopez, 32, Gainesville all face varying charges including violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations, or RICO, as well as burglary and motor vehicle theft.
Hall County Sheriff's spokesman Derreck Booth said they first arrested Michael Lopez on June 3 for allegedly stealing an SUV worth more than $10,000 from a residence in the 3000 block of Gilleland Circle.
Lopez, the uncle of Carlos Lopez Jr. and a cousin of Jan Lopez, remains in the Hall County Jail on two counts of entering auto, criminal trespass and a RICO violation.
Just a few days later, Carlos Lopez Jr was arrested at his residence after investigators obtained warrants for computer trespass and theft by taking in the same case on Gilleland Circle, Booth said.
The theft charge is connected to Carlos Lopez Jr. reportedly deleting a program from a computer that was stolen in the crime.
Carlos Lopez Jr. is also in the Hall County Jail, facing second-degree burglary, ten counts of entering auto, criminal trespass and a RICO count.
Last Tuesday, Jan Lopez was arrested by warrants service at his residence, charging him with nine counts of entering auto and a RICO violation.
As of Tuesday, all three men remained in the Hall County Jail.
Multiple agencies worked together on the case, including the Hall County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division - Property Section, Braselton Police Department, Gainesville Police Department and Oakwood Police Department. Because of that, Booth said the charges he provided don't reflect what the men may be charged within Gainesville, Braselton, or Oakwood.
