Gwinnett County Police have made an extensive sweep during a targeted retail theft sting at the Mall of Georgia over the Memorial Day weekend, leading to the arrests of 19 individuals. FOX 5 Atlanta reported that the operation, carried out on May 29 and 30, was a collaboration between law enforcement and local retailers. According to the reporting, officers executed 12 felony warrants and 27 misdemeanor warrants for shoplifting charges, and they cleared an additional 24 outstanding warrants from various Metro Atlanta agencies.
The operation was not a simple roundup; it involved tactical strategy to specifically to target organized retail crime. Over the two days, authorities recovered $5,313.75 in stolen goods. Among those arrested were Demesha Brown and Jasmine Harris, who, according to WSBTV, each had 12 active warrants from several agencies, with Brown facing an additional outstanding warrant for a RICO charge in Cherokee County.
This large-scale effort brought together 19 officers from various community response teams, along with the support of 11 retailers and the Georgia Retailers Organized Crime Alliance (GROC). The operation was not just a momentary push; it serves as part of ongoing efforts to combat theft and bolster safety in the local community.
It seems the intent behind the timing of the sting was clear, as Cpl. Juan Madiedo with Gwinnett County Police remarked in a statement obtained by WSBTV: “You will be punished. It’s going to ruin your summer, and you’re going to have consequences.” The message appears to be squarely aimed at deterring potential shoplifters, particularly with students freshly on summer break. Gwinnett police indicated that they plan to continue to run similar operations throughout the summer months.
