Gwinnett County Police have arrested five people while investigating a theft. Investigators obtained six felony warrants, seven misdemeanor warrants, learned of twelve outstanding warrants, and sized 100 grams of methamphetamine during their investigation.
Those in custody include a Winder man and Sugar Hill woman.
GWINNETT POLICE NEWS RELEASE:
“On July 24, officers assigned to our East precinct Community Response Team were investigating the theft of construction materials from a nearby site when, with the help of Flock cameras, they spotted the suspect vehicle at a nearby gas station.
Officers began interviewing the occupants in the vehicle, which led them to uncover multiple individuals involved in the theft of the materials.
A multiday investigation involving multiple interviews led officers to charge Joseph Menelao (age 49, Lawrenceville) with trafficking in methamphetamine, possession and use of drug-related objects, loitering, and felony theft by taking. Casey Joe Brooks (age 48, Winder) was charged with giving a false name to a law enforcement officer. Joanna Barrett (age 41, Lawrenceville) was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug-related objects. Melissa Hood-Conley (age 37, Sugar Hill) was charged with felony theft by taking, loitering, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug-related objects. Brian Prather (age 50, Lawrenceville) was charged with felony theft by taking and loitering.