A man was taken into custody Friday after allegedly stealing a gun from a relative's home in Rockdale County. Deputies called in a SWAT team because firearms were inside the home, but ultimately found it empty. The suspect was later located nearby and taken to a hospital for evaluation and treatment, with authorities saying he will face charges once he is released.
The situation began when a homeowner reported that a relative was inside the house without permission on the 3000 block of Notting Hill Court, according to Atlanta News First. Deputies responded to the address and learned that firearms were inside the home, and that the suspect allegedly had a weapon taken from it.
SWAT Called In, But House Comes Up Empty
Because firearms were inside the home, deputies called in a SWAT team to assist with the operation, the outlet reports. The team searched the home but did not find anyone inside, leaving investigators to widen their search beyond the property itself.
A later search of the surrounding area turned up the suspect, according to the same account. He was taken to a hospital for evaluation and treatment; the report notes that he has a mental health history, though further details on his condition were not provided.
Charges Expected
Authorities said he will face charges once he is released from the hospital.
Georgia law broadly defines theft by taking as unlawfully taking property of another with the intention of depriving them of it, regardless of the manner of the taking. It remains unclear how that statute, or any other charge, might apply once the case moves forward, and key details — including the suspect's relationship to the homeowner and the fate of the firearm itself — have not been made public.
