Police Follow Lo Jack to Marijuana Grow House

A police investigation of a possible stolen vehicle uncovered an elaborate marijuana grow house in Gwinnett County Tuesday.

Gwinnett Police said Barry A. Dingle, 42, faces several charges in connection with the investigation, which uncovered 17 marijuana plants, along with guns, fake money and other drugs.

Police spokesman Cpl. Deon Washington said in an emailed news release that the arrest came after a Georgia State Patrol trooper traced a Lo Jack signal to 2542 Pembroke Way near Lawrenceville from a 2011 BMW X6 that was reported stolen out of DeKalb County.

Dingle, who was at the residence, told the trooper there was a BMW X6 parked in the garage and that he was holding it for a friend.

Gwinnett Police responded to the scene to assist the trooper and learned the vehicle identification number (VIN) of the vehicle had been altered or replaced. Dingle was told the car had been stolen.

During the investigation, officers noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from the house and contacted the Criminal Investigations Division.

In the execution of a search warrant, officers found the following:

• Two stolen firearms.
• Counterfeit South Carolina title for a 2014 BMW X6 (using the fake VIN found on the X6 in the garage)
• $740 of counterfeit money
• 17 Marijuana plants.
• 1,480 grams of loose marijuana
• 5 grams of powder cocaine
• 5.5 grams of “bath salts”

Dingle, a Lawrenceville resident, has been charged with felony theft by receiving, possession of vehicle with altered/removed VIN, manufacture of marijuana, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and two counts each of possession of a firearm by convicted felon and first-degree forgery.

(Photo: Barry A. Dingle. Gwinnett County Jail mug shot)