Crime & Safety

More Arrests Made in Hispanic Grocery Arsons

Two more men from Ellenwood are charged in the attacks on La Jalisco on Buford Drive in Lawrenceville.

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA -- Two more men have been charged in a string of arson attacks on a Hispanic grocery store in Lawrenceville.

Darrius Megale Winfield, 23, and Joe D. Adams, 22, both of Ellenwood, were arrested on multiple felony charges in relation to the attacks on La Jalisco Super Carniceria, on Buford Drive, Gwinnett County fire officials say.

The arrests came days after Michael Bernard Johnson, 18, also of Ellenwood, was arrested and charged for his alleged role in the arsons.

Find out what's happening in Lawrencevillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Three fires have been intentionally set at La Jalisco since the beginning of May, Gwinnett County Fire & Emergency Services officials say.

Each has been more brazen, and damaging, than the one before. Investigators believe all three attacks are related.

Find out what's happening in Lawrencevillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Video: Men Use Molotov Cocktails To Start Market Fire

Winfield is being held at the Gwinnett County Detention Center without bond. Adams is currently being jailed in Henry County on an unrelated parole violation and will eventually face charges in Gwinnett upon release from Henry County.

Investigators, which include county authorities and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are withholding details about what has led to the arrests, saying the investigation is ongoing.

Video surveillance from a fire on May 23 shows at least five suspects involved. The men are shown kicking in a back door of the market and igniting what appear to be Molotov cocktails to throw into the store's aisles.

The suspects who have been arrested so far face charges of first-degree arson, burglary, possession of a destructive device, manufacture of a destructive device and possession of tools for the commission of a crime.

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