Canton Police Link Entering Auto Suspects to 5 Incidents

CANTON, GA -- Canton police have made two arrests in a string of entering auto incidents all occurring on the same day.

The suspects, 28-year-old Sherrick Ragland of Atlanta and Forest Park resident Leticia Rivers, 27, were each arrested after a witness called 911 to report suspicious behavior outside a fast food restaurant.

Officers responded around 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23 to Burger King on Marietta Highway after 911 dispatchers received a call from a witness stating a man in a dark-colored SUV was trying to break into a pick-up truck behind the restaurant, Canton police said.

While units were in route to the scene, dispatchers advised police the man was leaving Burger King and traveling southbound on Marietta Highway.

Officers were also informed that a woman, who was initially in the SUV with the male, was seen from Burger King to the Ollie's parking lot, which is housed in the former K-Mart store.

Responding officers made contact with the SUV and initiated a traffic stop near Marietta Highway's intersection with Knox Bridge Highway. The witness who called police was also able to provide a video allegedly showing the male suspect trying to break into the truck using a screw driver and another recording of the woman as she left Burger King on foot.

The male and the female were both intercepted and taken into custody for questioning. The suspected SUV was detained, and investigators obtained a search warrant in an attempt to recover the stolen property inside the vehicle.

Earlier in the day, Canton police said they documented five incidents of entering auto "where the method of entry" was the same as the one recorded at Burger King. Officers also observed several objects inside the SUV that appeared to have been taken from the vehicles targeted during earlier operations, the police department noted.

During their interviews with the pair, detectives were able to link the man and woman to the entering autos in Canton. While executing the search warrant, officers also discovered items allegedly stolen from other victims. Canton police also said an additional item was linked to an entering auto incident reported last week in Woodstock.

Canton Police Chief Mark Mitchell commended the citizen's vigilance in helping crack the case.

"We are extremely thankful for the witness who greatly assisted us in bringing these crimes to a safe and successful resolution," he said. "I am also proud of the hard work and diligence of our officers and detectives which keenly connected these individuals to all of the autos that were entered or attempted to be entered. Additionally, we will be working to have this citizen recognized for his efforts and assistance before a Council Meeting in the near future."

Ragland is charged with four counts each of entering auto and criminal damage to property. He's also charged with criminal attempt to enter auto, removing or affixing license plate with intent to conceal or misrepresent, driving on a suspended license and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The charges for Rivers include four counts each of entering auto and criminal damage to property, criminal attempt to enter auto and criminal trespassing.

Both suspects remain in custody; Ragland has $83,310 bond while Rivers' bond is $71,550.

Photo: Sherrick Ragland, left, and Leticia Rivers. Credit: Cherokee Sheriff's Office