APPE
A
UB CL
A p r i l 4 , 2 0 2 4 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 2 8 , N o . 1 4
RESS NP
appenmedia.com/join
Police chief requests more officers amid rising burglaries in Johns Creek By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com
North Fulton explores coordinating elections ► PAGE 3
Two-tour veteran leads ceremony ► PAGE 5
SPONSORED
Your North Atlanta Real Estate Report ► PAGES 11-15
ROI
matters.
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Johns Creek Police Chief Mark Mitchell says a significant number of the burglaries committed in 2023 can be attributed to a specific group. Whether those involved in a loose network of non-violent crimes like entering autos and homes are a quantifiable threat to the City of Johns Creek is still under investigation. Burglaries increased by 30 percent, according to the Johns Creek Police Department’s “Multi-Year Plan” presented at the City Council work session March 25, and Mitchell says the “South American Theft Group” are likely responsible. In an interview, Mitchell said that out of more than 70 burglaries last year, about a dozen or so may be connected to these South American groups, but pieces to the puzzle are missing — such as identified suspects, which would include their country of origin. South American theft groups operate like franchises, with little to no cooperation among them but with similar methods, according to police document. “There could be other groups,” Mitchell said, referencing the Drug Rich Gang, known for stealing from celebrities and influencers, and having been linked to crimes in Sandy Springs and Roswell.
SCREENSHOT
Johns Creek Police Chief Mark Mitchell presents the Johns Creek Police Department’s “Multi-Year Plan” at the City Council work session March 25. Mitchell described staffing issues and explained crime trends. He said there were a couple of burglaries last year where weapons were involved, and police are investigating whether suspects are from a South American theft group – though violence is uncharacteristic – or the Drug Rich Gang. The method South American theft groups use to burglarize the wealthy do not appear to be novel. Members on vacation visas, aka
Targeted local marketing in the most trusted local media works. Alpharetta | Roswell | Milton | Johns Creek Forsyth | Dunwoody | Sandy Springs Local community newspapers – Heralds & Criers – that matter.
“criminal tourism,” or “straight up illegal aliens taking advantage of our southern border” tend to enter at the rear of a home via a broken glass door or window after dark, using signal-jammers to block wireless technology like cameras and carrying backpacks to store the loot, according to the police document.
See POLICE, Page 20
Partner with Appen Local Media: Local: Print | Websites | Email Newsletters | Podcasts Use the power of trusted local to grow your business. APPEN Marketing: 770-442-3278 Advertising@AppenMedia.com