Gwinnett County Police Apprehend Teen Suspects in Vehicle Theft Spree Following Tip-off
On February 28, around 3:30 a.m., Gwinnett Police officers from the South precinct responded to a report of suspicious activity in the vicinity of Drayton Manor Run in unincorporated Lawrenceville. The call came from a concerned citizen who observed two males allegedly attempting to break into vehicles and moving between houses in the area.
As officers headed to the scene, they spotted a red passenger vehicle leaving the location at high speed. Subsequently, they conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and initiated an investigation. The occupants of the vehicle were identified as Brice Harris, 18, from Lithonia, and Ja’darrius Head, 18, from Stone Mountain.
During the search of the vehicle, officers found several stolen items, including a firearm that had been reported stolen from a vehicle in a prior incident the previous week.
Both suspects were interviewed by detectives and subsequently booked into the Gwinnett County Jail. Ja’darrius Head faces charges of Loitering and Prowling, Entering Auto with Intent to Commit a Theft or Felony, and Criminal Attempt to Commit a Felony. Brice Harris faces charges of Theft by Receiving Stolen Property, Loitering and Prowling, Possession of Tools for Commission of a Crime, Entering Auto with Intent to Commit a Theft or Felony, Criminal Attempt to Commit a Felony, and Possession of Marijuana Less Than One Ounce.
Authorities also provided some tips to help protect vehicles and belongings:
- Always take your vehicle’s key with you; do not leave it inside or on the vehicle.
- Ensure all windows and doors are closed and locked when parking.
- Opt for well-lit parking spots whenever possible.
- Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, especially items like firearms that could be visible from outside.
- Consider installing a dashcam and anti-theft system for added security.
