Gwinnett County police say a Lawrenceville man is on the run after an attempted apartment break-in in the Legacy Park Drive area, all caught in stark detail on a doorbell camera in the early hours of Sunday, March 22. Detectives say that video is now a key piece of evidence as they work to track him down.
Investigators have charged 21-year-old Sonny Stephens of Lawrenceville with criminal attempt to commit home invasion and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. According to police, the attempted break-in happened around 1 a.m. on March 22 at an apartment on Legacy Park Drive. The resident reportedly showed officers doorbell-camera footage of an armed man trying to kick in the front door. Officers then obtained copies of the videos from the incident, and robbery detectives are now on the case. Stephens’ whereabouts remain unknown, as reported by Atlanta News First.
How police want tips
Gwinnett County police are asking anyone who might know where Stephens is, or who has information about the attempted break-in, to contact detectives at 770-513-5300, according to Gwinnett County. To stay anonymous, tipsters can call Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or visit StopCrimeATL. People who share information that leads to an arrest and indictment may be eligible for a cash reward, per The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Charges and penalties
Under Georgia law, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony is a separate offense that carries a mandatory minimum prison term, generally five years, to be served consecutively to any other sentences, according to Georgia Code § 16-11-106. Any criminal-attempt counts in this case would be weighed alongside the weapons charge if prosecutors secure an indictment and the case moves into court.
What residents should do
Residents in the Legacy Park Drive area are urged to keep doors and windows locked and hang on to any doorbell or security-camera footage that might help investigators. Anyone who captured video of suspicious activity around the time of the attempted break-in is asked to share it with detectives by calling the Robbery Unit at the number above.
