Since June 4, Gwinnett Police have responded to a series of burglaries at Urban Air Adventure Park locations in Buford and Lawrenceville and now 15 people have been charged.
The break-ins, seven of them, were connected, police say, to a social media trend encouraging teenagers and young adults to unlawfully enter such facilities after business hours to use arcade games, attractions, and damage property. During the burglaries, according to a news release, the suspects used attractions and arcade games while also causing property damage and committing acts of vandalism.
“Iinvestigators remind) the public that social media trends encouraging criminal behavior can have serious legal consequences. Burglary, criminal trespass, criminal damage to property, and other related offenses may result in arrest and prosecution, regardless of whether the acts are portrayed as entertainment or a social media challenge. Individuals considering participating in similar activity should expect that the department will pursue all available evidence, including surveillance footage and digital investigative leads, to identify those involved.”
And the news release finishes with a request: “If anyone has any information to share in this case, please contact GCPD detectives at 770.513.5300. To remain anonymous, tipsters should contact Crime Stoppers at 404.577.TIPS (8477) or visit www.stopcrimeATL.com. Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case.”