10 arrested in Gwinnett multi-million dollar electronics theft ring

A seven-months long investigation into porch piracy in Gwinnett County led to the dismantling of a multi-million dollar electronics thefts ring. 

 

The Gwinnett County Police department said an initial investigation into the porch piracy thefts in the area began in November 2024. Investigators reportedly made a breakthrough in the case when suspects Cristopher Guerrero and Aldopher Valdez Sosa were arrested in the act of committing porch piracy. The arrests then led authorities into discovering specific meeting locations and times linked to the alleged criminal activities. 

 

Throughout the seven months of the investigation, the GCPD General Crimes Unit reportedly uncovered a large-scale criminal organization believed to be responsible for the theft and fencing of electronic devices.  

 

The organization’s criminal activity extended beyond Gwinnett County and the Atlanta metro area, reaching across the Southeastern United States, the department said. 

 

After uncovering the operation, investigators worked to identify multiple residences tied to the organization. After surveying the locations, investigators were able to identify additional suspects. It was further discovered that stolen electronics were being shipped both domestically and potentially overseas.

 

 Arrest warrants were obtained for ten suspects for violating the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.  Additionally, 24 arrest warrants were issued for charges including Retail Property Fencing, Theft by Taking, Theft by Receiving, Theft by Deception, and Possession of Tools for the Commission of a Crime. Six search warrants were also obtained, three for locations in Gwinnett County, two in the City of Doraville, and one in the City of Johns Creek.

 

The department executed the search warrants on May 29. 

 

Officers arrested ten suspects. Over 5,000 electronic devices with an estimated value of $6 million  were recovered, while $1.2 million in U.S. currency were seized. The department also seized eight vehicles and recovered five firearms. 

 

The department said 2,000 of the recovered devices were confirmed stolen or fraudulently obtained and returned to their respective carriers. 

 

Suspects arrested in the case are as follows: 

Participating Gwinnett County Units included Criminal Investigations Division, Community Response Teams, SWAT, Special Investigations Section, Tech Unit, Crime Scene Investigations, Aviation, K9, Situational Awareness and Crime Response Center, Computer Forensics Lab, Intel Analysts, and Evidence Personnel. External assistance came from the Johns Creek Police Department, Doraville Police Department, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).