Two of seven men charged with the violation of Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) remain at large for their alleged involvement in 492 entering autos and motor vehicle thefts in Gwinnett County between ate-2022 and early-2024.
A press release from Gwinnett County Police says the suspects are allegeldy tied into an organized car theft ring that has connections in Gwinnett County and Fulton County's city of East Point.
This investigation began in November 2022, after investigators noticed a trend in work vans being forcibly entered during the night to steal high-end paint sprayers and tools. In February of 2023, detectives arrested 22-year old Myles Cameron of Fairburn for multiple counts of entering auto related to these cases. Investigators knew that more suspects were involved in breaking into the vehicles but were not able to identify them when they arrested Cameron.
In June of 2023, investigators noticed a trend of entering autos and motor vehicle thefts throughout Gwinnett County. These incidents often included numerous vehicles being entered. Investigators say the suspects used stolen cars during these crimes to hide their identity and move from one crime scene to another. Detectives were able to locate many of the stolen vehicles after they were used and discarded.
Gwinnett Police also say that on July 19, 2023, while the crew was breaking into vehicles on Traymore Drive in Norcross, they were confronted by a homeowner. One of the suspects responded by shooting at him. The homeowner was not hit, but the incident showed that the suspects were willing to use violence to escape.
The crew continued breaking into and stealing vehicles throughout the month of August 2023. Detectives continued to investigate the crew of suspects by processing evidence and sort through many hours of surveillance video from crime scenes. Gwinnett Police say on August 31, with the help from Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office and the US Marshals Office, investigators were able to identify and arrest 23-year old Javaris Gamble of East Point for his involvement in many of the break-ins. Many of the suspects that were seen on surveillance with Gamble prior to his arrest continued to enter and steal vehicles throughout Gwinnett County into March of 2024.
Detectives eventually were led to identify the other men involved in the incidents as 24-year old Randy Martinez, 23-year old Kylijah Yates, 24-year old Emmanuel Chavarria-Ornelas and 24-year old Kejuan Miliam, all from East Point, along with 27-year old Giovanni Bell of Conley, Georgia.
While five of these suspects have been previously arrested and taken into custody, as of last report, Bell and Miliam have not been arrested. If anyone has any information to share in this case or have leads to Bell and Milliam's whereabouts you are asked to contact GCPD detectives at 770.513.5300. To remain anonymous, tipsters should contact Crime Stoppers at 404.577.TIPS (8477) or visit www.stopcrimeATL.com.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2024/6/1246567/gwinnett-police-charge-suspects-for-nearly-500-auto-theft-related-crimes