Two men are behind bars after attempting to make off with over $4,000 worth of construction materials from a site in unincorporated Lawrenceville. According to a Gwinnett County Police Department release, Elvin Palma Cruz, 27, and Luis Palma Reyes, 31, were nabbed Thursday night when a sharp-eyed security company, monitoring the site remotely, spotted a shady truck and trailer on the scene.
The firm alerted the authorities around 10:30 p.m., sparking a rapid response by the officers from the East Precinct. They arrived to find the suspects trying to flee on foot but soon caught one of the thief. The second man wasn't free for long, however, as police brought in a K9 and the Aviation Unit to hunt him down. Left in their haste, the abandoned truck and trailer yielded a stash of roofing shingles valued at over $4,000.
Both Cruz and Reyes are facing a laundry list of charges, including Theft by Taking, Loitering & Prowling, and Forgery 1st Degree, among other offenses. Their charges were detailed in a statement put out by the Gwinnett County PD. "The Gwinnett County Police Department is committed to investigating crimes and arresting those responsible," the department stated, underscoring the use of cutting-edge technology to identify, locate, and apprehend property crime culprits.
The incident underscores the integral role business security plays within the economic fabric of our communities. "Businesses play a vital role in our local economy, and their security is integral to well-being of our county," the department said, reinforcing the importance of protecting local enterprises that contribute to Gwinnett County’s financial stability and growth.
