Mall of Georgia thefts: 19 arrested for $5.3K in thefts, police say
Photo supplied by Gwinnett County Police Department
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - Gwinnett County Police arrested 19 people during a targeted retail theft operation at the Mall of Georgia, officials announced Wednesday. The two-day effort, conducted May 29 and 30, was a collaboration between the police department and multiple retailers in and around the shopping center.
What we know:
During the operation, officers secured 12 felony warrants and 27 misdemeanor warrants related to shoplifting offenses. In addition, authorities cleared 24 outstanding warrants from other Metro Atlanta law enforcement agencies and recovered $5,313.75 in stolen merchandise.
The initiative involved 19 officers from the North, East, Central, and Bay Creek Precinct Community Response Teams, with support from 11 retailers and the Georgia Retailers Organized Crime Alliance (GROC).
Among those arrested were Demesha Brown and Jasmine Harris, both of whom had 12 active warrants from various agencies. Police noted that Brown faced an outstanding warrant for failure to appear on a RICO charge in Cherokee County.
Others arrested included:
- Alejandra Aular
- Jayda Rogers
- Matthew Hardin
- Michelle Castaneda
- Shawn Stein
- Rickie Jace
- Christopher Parker
- Cesar Balcazar
- Latoya Simmons
- Carla Wheeler
- Andrea Aular Petit
- Israel Nicholas
- Jellanie Reyes
What they're saying:
Gwinnett County Police said the operation highlights their ongoing commitment to tackling organized retail crime and enhancing public safety through partnerships with local businesses.