Home Invasion Suspect Linked To Additional Burglaries: Police

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- An extensive investigation into the Feb. 12 home invasion in Sandy Springs has led to the discovery that Sunday's incident wasn't the first alleged crime committed by the suspect arrested by police.

The probe by investigators with the Sandy Springs and Atlanta police departments have unearthed evidence that Demarco Parham was also involved in multiple burglaries in both cities, said Sandy Springs police spokesperson Sgt. Sam Worsham.

Additional charges have been filed by police, and detectives have also recovered items from multiple burglaries as well as the handgun used in the home invasion reported on Hunters Trace Circle.

"A second suspect has been identified and detectives are working on connecting him to the incidents in Sandy Springs," Worsham added.

Sandy Springs police were dispatched to a home in the 6800 block of Hunters Trace Circle just before midnight and met with a couple who recounted the terrifying ordeal to authorities.

According to the agency, a couple was sleeping around 11:56 p.m. when they were alerted by the security system that a basement door was open.

The male homeowner went to investigate the noise as his spouse called 911. According to an incident report released by the police department, the man approached the top of the stairs and could hear "multiple people downstairs rummaging furniture."

As he heard the garage door open, the homeowner went downstairs to investigate what was happening.

When he went outside via the front door, "one of the suspects fired one round at him," then ran towards the bottom of the driveway, the report states.

The homeowner retreated back inside the home, and from the dining room could see a dark SUV peeling out of the driveway as one of the suspects re-opened fire towards the home where he was standing.

The man later discovered the SUV the suspects were in belonged to him. The vehicle, a blue 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee bearing Georgia tag CDQ 3746, was taken from the location. Along with the vehicle, two flat-screen televisions, a U.S. Permanent Residency card, an orange Kenneth Cole purse and a brown wallet were also stolen, the police report states.

Within 24 hours, Sandy Springs police arrested Parham, of Atlanta, and charged him with home invasion in the first degree, armed robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, aggravated assault and motor vehicle theft.

The victim's Jeep Grand Cherokee was also recovered. Detectives continue to investigate the case, and anyone with information is asked to call the police department at 770-551-6900.

Photo: Demarco Parham. Credit: Sandy Springs Police Department