Four Arrested For Shoplifting in Toccoa, Suspected in Other Cases

Four people face multiple charges after they were allegedly caught in the act of shoplifting at a local store.

Toccoa Police responded to Wal-Mart on Big A Road on September 20th after being called by store employees.

Lieutenant Eddie Neal with the Toccoa Police Department said that store employees told police the four were in the act of shoplifting.

“They had selected thousands of dollars worth of merchandise, put it in carts, and pushed the carts to the fire exit,” said Neal. “What they do is wrap all the stuff in plastic wrap, back the vehicle up to the fire door, open the fire door, throw the stuff in the vehicle, jump in the vehicle, and take off.”

Neal said that multiple officers arrived and surrounded the suspects’ vehicle.

He went on to say that two of the suspects fled after spotting police at their vehicle.

“Two of the suspects came around the building and saw the patrol officers around the car and took off,” said Neal. “Officers gave chase and they were arrested in the parking lot of the Ford dealership, hiding under a couple of vehicles.”

As for the other two suspects, they remained inside before leaving without any stolen goods through the store’s front door.

One of those two was arrested walking out the front door, while the fourth and final suspect was found and arrested nearby the next morning.

Police have alleged that the four attempted to steal nearly $9,000 in cameras and computer equipment on the night of September 20.

Also, police said some of those arrested had shoplifted previously from the Toccoa Wal-Mart, stealing thousands of dollars in items on August 7 and September 8.

Police arrested three Anderson, South Carolina residents, 26-year-old Kenneth Antwan Rice, 21-year-old Genero Gene Maduro, and 20-year-old Dallas Donchez Burruss, along with 21-year-old Nathan Juan Gray of Smyrna, Georgia.

Maduro and Gray each face three counts of Felony Shoplifting, Rice faces two counts of Felony Shoplifting, and Burruss faces one count of Felony Shoplifting.

Rice, Maduro, and Burruss also all face a charge of Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana.

All four were taken to the Stephens County Jail, where they were still being held at last report.

Toccoa Police Chief Tim Jarrell said these people are also suspects in other thefts in other communities.

“What we do know at this point is they have hit us three times,” said Jarrell. “We are still looking to see if there have been more involved. They have been to South Carolina and Anderson. We are actually asking North Carolina to look and other agencies in Georgia are interested in looking to see if they are the ones responsible for their theft.”

Jarrell said the investigation is ongoing and these four could face more charges.

In addition, Jarrell said there could be more arrests.

“At this point, Lt. Neal, in his investigation, has reason to believe that this is a group of individuals committing crimes in many jurisdictions, almost as an organized group,” said Jarrell.

Jarrell said he is proud of the work his officers did in arresting these individuals and investigating this case.