Street Gangs Tied To Cartersville Commercial Burglaries: Police

CARTERSVILLE, GA -- A task force created to investigate a string of commercial burglaries around the state has identified more than 20 individuals behind more than 100 incidents. That's according to the Cartersville Police Department, which said it has been working with the task force in targeting "criminal street gangs" from the metro Atlanta area.

During this investigation that began in 2016, the task force found that these subjects were "operating as a criminal enterprise to commit these burglaries across the state of Georgia" as well as Tennessee. More than 55 jurisdictions in Georgia were involved in the task force, which uncovered multiple gangs that were behind 153 confirmed commercial burglaries.

In Cartersville, multiple street gangs have been tied to three burglaries in the city and others in Bartow county, said spokesperson Lt. Mike Bettikofer. These gangs, Bettikofer added, are responsible for more than $1.35 million in damages and property loss around the state since 2015.

The Floyd County District Attorney's office will prosecute the suspects under the state's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations, or RICO, Act.

Bettikofer said his agency would like to extend its gratitude to the Floyd County Police Department, Hall County Sheriff's Office, Athens-Clarke County Police Department and the Gwinnett County Police Department for leading the task force.

Patch has reached out to determine when the names, ages, residences and charges for each suspect will be released, and is waiting to hear back for those details.

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