On Thursday night in Canton, police cut short a late-night burglary at a Dollar General on Hickory Flat Highway, catching a suspect who bolted out the back of the store. Officers later spotted a man nearby who matched the description, brought him back to the scene, and say that arrest is now tied to a second break-in across town.
According to WSB-TV, officers arrived just after an alarm sounded at about 11:10 p.m. and found clear signs of forced entry inside the Dollar General. Store surveillance video showed a suspect pulling cash drawers and grabbing cigarettes along with other tobacco products before officers moved in, the station reported.
Video Links Suspect To Second Break-In
FOX 5 Atlanta reports that investigators compared that footage to surveillance video from a Sunday morning break-in at a Chevron on Mountain Vista Boulevard. Officers discovered a broken window at the gas station and noted that alcohol, lighters and tobacco products were missing, and the station says the person in the Chevron video appears to match the suspect seen at the Dollar General.
Charges And Custody
Police have charged 23-year-old Gary Dashaun Robinson with multiple offenses connected to both incidents, including two counts each of second-degree burglary, theft by taking and criminal damage to property, along with one count of obstruction of a law-enforcement officer. Robinson is being held at the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center and was denied bail, according to WSB-TV.
Police Ask For Tips
Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact the Canton Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at (770) 720-4883. FOX 5 Atlanta reports that the number was listed in a Canton police news release.
What This Means For Local Businesses
Police and business owners say the quick arrest highlights how basic security tools can make a big difference, pointing to alarm systems and clear surveillance footage that helped identify the suspect. Simple steps like placing cameras where they capture faces, keeping exteriors well lit and calling police as soon as alarms go off can help retailers limit losses while they wait for cases like this to move through the courts.
