Police: Teens Hijack Jeep in Snellville Area

Three teens were charged last week after a man reported that his car had been hijacked in unincorporated Snellville. 

According to the Gwinnett County Police report, the 36-year-old's green Jeep Wrangler was taken from his residence off Parkwood Road around 11 a.m. Aug. 27.

The suspects started traveling from the home toward Highway 78 in the Jeep and a black SUV, later identified as a 1987 Ford Bronco. Five men were in the cars, according to the incident report. 

An officer spotted the Jeep in the Aaron's parking lot at the intersection of Highway 78 and Parkwood. The SUV also was pulled over in the same parking lot, and all five men were transported to Gwinnett County Police headquarters. The Jeep was returned to the victim.

A gray air pellet gun was found on the floorboard of the passenger's side of the Ford, and another air pellet gun was located on Parkwood Road. 

While all five men were apprehended at the scene, Gwinnett County jail records indicate only three of them were charged after the incident. The suspects were: Galan Ballard, 18, of Ringgold, who was charged with hijacking a motor vehicle; Justin Wilson, 19, of Ringgold, also charged with hijacking; and Stephen Lanier, 18, of Chickamauga, who was charged with two counts of criminal attempt to commit a crime and forgery in the second degree. 

Inside the Police Reports runs regularly every week. The information is based solely on police incident reports provided on request. It does not indicate a conviction.