Crime & Safety

Off Duty Gwinnett Police Officers Arrest Suspects

A driver possessing suspected heroin and a car-jacking suspect arrested in separate incidents.

Two off duty Gwinnett County Police officers were responsible for arrests of a driver possessing suspected heroin and a car-jacking suspect Thursday (July 14) evening in separate incidents in unincorporated Duluth.

“These two incidents reflect heavily on why Gwinnett County police officers are issued take home vehicles,” said Cpl. Edwin Ritter. “Both of these two incidents lead to the arrests of two people charged with serious felonies. These arrests may not have happened when they did if it was not for the off duty officers and the take home car policy,” Ritter said. 

Ritter reported Friday that an off duty Gwinnett police officer conducted a traffic stop on his way home in his patrol car after completing his shift about 11:21 p.m. Thursday that led to the driver being arrested for possession of heroin. The traffic stop was initiated on northbound Interstate 85 near Sugarloaf Parkway.

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The officer observed a gold 2005 Ford Crown Victoria traveling northbound on I-85 and stopped the vehicle for a minor traffic violation. The white male driver identified himself as 52-year-old William Benham of Lawrenceville, Ritter said.

With the assistance of an on duty officer, the officers developed probable cause to search the vehicle and found approximately four grams of suspected heroin and approximately a half ounce of marijuana in the vehicle. The on duty officer assumed the investigation and placed Benham under arrest for possession of heroin and marijuana, according to Ritter.

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Benham was transported to the Gwinnett County Jail after being charged with possession of a Schedule I drug, possession of marijuana less that 1 ounce and a headlight equipment violation. He was being held in lieu of $12,563 bond, Ritter said.

Earlier Thursday evening about 8:49 p.m., the Gwinnett County Police Department received a 911 call regarding a car jacking that had just occurred at the Studio 6 Hotel at 3525 Breckinridge Blvd., Ritter also reported Friday.

The victim stated that a black male pointed a gun at his head and ordered him out of his car. The victim complied, and the suspect left in his vehicle described as a maroon 2005 Toyota Camry, Ritter said. As other officers were responding to the scene, a bulletin was issued over the police radio for the vehicle and suspect.

An off duty Gwinnett police officer working a part-time job with his patrol car observed the suspect vehicle drive by his location in the 1900 block of Satellite Boulevard. The officer left his part time job and caught up to the vehicle. The suspect sped up, and the officer initiated pursuit. The officer pursued the vehicle to the 3700 block of Satellite Boulevard where the suspect stopped the vehicle and fled on foot, according to Ritter.

The off duty officer coordinated with other officers and quickly set up a perimeter. The suspect, identified as Mitchell D. Hart, 19, of Lawrenceville, was located hiding in a parked vehicle nearby. He was placed under arrest and subsequently charged with hi-jacking a motor vehicle, armed robbery, fleeing and attempting to elude, obstruction of a law enforcement officer, and possession of a Schedule IV drug, Ritter reported. The suspect was transported to Gwinnett County Jail and was being held without bond.

 

 

 


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