SAVANNAH, GA (February 11, 2013): A four-month investigation by precinct detectives into the thefts of vehicles from multiple dealerships has resulted in the arrest of 12 people and the recovery of dozens of items taken in burglaries, thefts and auto break-ins.
Charges were presented by Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police to most of the suspects today, ranging from weapons charges to burglary to theft, to fleeing to elude and traffic violations.
Central Precinct detectives began working on the investigation after five vehicles were stolen following a burglary at Vaden Nissan in Statesboro. Police started recovering the cars in Savannah, some of which were being used by perpetrators of other crimes.
Soon, other burglaries were being committed in Savannah where keys were being stolen and vehicles taken from premises. They included two vehicles from Dan Vaden Nissan, Nov. 6; two more from Dan Vaden, Nov. 9; nine from Fuller Chevrolet in Rincon, Nov. 20; 14 from Savannah Toyota, Dec. 7; an undetermined number stolen from Granger Nissan in Garden City, Dec. 24; and one stolen from Critz Buick-GMC Jan. 3.
In all, 32 vehicles were stolen from these dealerships. Some were recovered immediately, found hidden in parking lots of apartment complexes and along quiet residential streets. Others were used for other crimes. Information was received confirming that the thieves were using them for criminal purposes and, in some cases, selling or leasing the keys to others to commit crimes as well.
Eventually, all vehicles were recovered by SCMPD, but not before some of them were damaged in crashes.
The investigation also led to the recovery of stolen items, including firearms, computers, large-format televisions, electronic games, iPods, digital cameras and 15 smart phones. Also recovered were amounts of prescription pills, cocaine and marijuana.
Metro police began making arrests Dec. 27 and eventually took a dozen into custody. The arrests included one of two men in a pickup truck pursued into Savannah by Liberty County authorities in which a Metro patrol car was rammed and the truck overturned on the Armstrong Atlantic State university campus. A stolen gun and another weapon and stolen items were recovered from the wreckage. Two were arrested after a foot pursuit and police canine search on Critz property grounds.
Precinct detectives are continuing to investigate the crimes associated with those charged and anticipate the numbers of crimes, crime types and suspects to grow.
Arrested so far were:
Kenneth Allen, 19, Dukes Way: burglary, providing false name to police, obstruction, theft by taking, auto; two counts of burglary, second degree; theft by taking; probation violation.
Barsheen Lang, 21, Glenbrook Road: commercial burglary, three counts of burglary and one of burglary second degree; two counts of criminal damage to property, first degree; two counts of theft by taking; criminal use of an article with an altered ID; possession of drug-related object for use; criminal damage to property, first degree.
Kareem Wall, 20, Ventura Boulevard: theft by receiving stolen property and theft by receiving stolen property, auto.
Brandon Williams, 18, Sheridan Drive: theft by receiving stolen property; theft by taking; speeding; reckless driving; no proof of insurance, no seat belt, adult; no permit; fleeing/attempting to elude officers, first degree; state custody hold for the Statesboro Police Department; and probation violation.
Stephen Walker, 20, Vermont Avenue: Theft by taking, auto.
Malik Saheed Stephens, 18, East 38th Street: theft by receiving; fleeing to elude. (Other charges are pending.)
Devontae Hinton, 20, Woodhouse Lane: Theft by receiving stolen auto.
Alyscia Taylor, 18, West 60th Street: Hindering apprehension or punishment.
Marvin Bryant, 22, Marian Circle: Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; obstruction by fleeing; three counts of burglary; three counts of theft by receiving;
Jeffery Williams, 23, Auburn Street: theft by receiving stolen property; use of a firearm by a convicted felon in the commission of a crime; fleeing to elude; obstruction; contempt of court; seven counts of theft by receiving.
Derrick A. McDaniel, 25: Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; theft by receiving stolen property, firearm; obstruction; loitering or prowling; reckless driving; two counts driving with a suspended or revoked license; two counts of leaving an accident while failing to provide aid or information; probation violation.
Jawyan Pringle, 30: possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; obstruction of an officer with injury; conspiracy to violate the controlled substance act; and two counts of probation violation.
All suspect were also charged with violating Georgia’s Street Gang/Terrorism prevention Act.
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