HCSO NARRATIVE:
“A Gainesville man remains in the Hall County Jail following his arrest for breaking into a vehicle and stealing financial transaction cards earlier this month.
The victim reported the theft to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) on Sept. 18, 2025, via the online reporting service available at the Sheriff to Citizen web page at https://hallcounty.policetocitizen.com. The victim indicated the crime occurred the night of Sept. 6 while her vehicle was parked at a residence on Saddle Creek Drive in the Gillsville area.
The case immediately was assigned to an HCSO property crimes investigator. The investigator determined the offender, later identified as Alex Alfonso Mercado, 40, of Gainesville, had illegally entered the vehicle and stolen a wallet containing two financial transaction cards, a book bag, a set of headphones and two clothing items. The investigation determined Mr. Mercado had used the bank cards at six locations the night of Sept. 6, making purchases totaling $193.70. Using surveillance video from one of the stores where the suspect made an unauthorized purchase, the investigator was able to identify Mr. Mercado.
The suspect was arrested at his home on Sunday, Sept. 22. Some of the stolen property was recovered at the residence.
At last check, Mr. Mercado was being held on a bond of $16,800 for one (1) count of entering auto to commit a theft and six (6) counts of financial card transaction fraud.”