Suspects Caught After Alpharetta Auto Break-ins

Three suspects who traveled to Alpharetta from Fort Lauderdale, FL, have been arrested by a detective with the on suspicion of entering multiple vehicles to commit thefts.

The suspects rented a vehicle with the intent to commit numerous thefts, according to George Gordon, spokesman for the Department of Public Safety. This method of operation is customary for a group known as the "Felony Lane" gang, he said. The gang would use a female to actually rent a vehicle, using the rental in an attempt to evade identification or capture. This particular group was using a black Jeep Cherokee bearing a local Budget Rental tag.

Within the hour of their arrest the three men allegedly committed at least five entering auto offenses in the city by breaking into vehicles with a punch tool and screwdriver. They stole numerous credit cards, gift cards, cell phones and cameras.

After Alpharetta 911 started to receive calls from entering auto victims, an Alpharetta detective in the area of GA 400 southbound observed a suspicious Jeep Cherokee exiting the city abruptly by changing lanes and crossing over a gore area. The detective conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. The vehicle was occupied by three black males. Two had Florida driver’s licenses and the other no identification. The person that rented the vehicle was not in the vehicle.

A search of the vehicle revealed the stolen hidden items within the vehicle. The items located by on scene officers matched the items reported stolen from other incident locations.

Taken into custody:

1. Kelvin Washington, black male, 26 years of age, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
2. Kevin Patterson, black male, 32 years of age, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
3. Dwight Evans, black male, 28 years of age, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

All three suspects have been charges with 5 counts each of entering auto offenses, possession of tools used in the commission of crimes and financial transaction card fraud.

All three of the suspects have extensive criminal histories with numerous entering auto and other offenses within Florida and the Georgia metro region.

The arrest information was supplied by the Alpahretta Department of Public Safety. It does not indicate a conviction.