Wanted Suspect Arrested in Long-Term Auto Break-In Investigation

On March 12, 2024, Gwinnett County Police officers conducted a routine traffic stop on Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road in the city of Suwanee. Inside the vehicle was Roy Higgins, 28, from Lawrenceville, who was wanted for dozens of charges stemming from an Entering Auto series in 2023.

This arrest is part of a long-term investigation that began on April 17, 2023, following a report of a vehicle break-in on White Birch Way in unincorporated Lawrenceville. The case was assigned to detectives from the General Crimes Unit, who uncovered a pattern of similar incidents in the area of Verner Road and Whitehead Place Drive.

The investigation intensified on May 17, when another victim reported stolen credit cards, later found to have been fraudulently used at a local Lawrenceville Wal-Mart. Surveillance footage provided images of the suspects and their vehicle.

On May 20, more entering auto cases were reported in the area of Berkshire Eve Drive in unincorporated Duluth, further implicating the same individuals.

The situation came to a head on May 24 when patrol officers located the suspects’ vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. The driver fled on foot, abandoning a stolen firearm in the process.

As a result of the investigation, warrants were issued for the arrest of Bryon Hunt, 27, from Forsyth, and Roy Higgins. On June 30, 2023, Bryon Hunt was apprehended at a residence on Chablis Court in Lawrenceville. He is currently detained at the Gwinnett County Jail, facing charges for Entering Auto (13 counts) and Financial Transaction Card Fraud (11 counts).

However, Roy Higgins had remained at large until his recent arrest on March 12, 2024. He has been booked into the Gwinnett County Jail, facing charges including Entering Auto (10 counts), Financial Transaction Card Fraud (10 counts), Obstruction (1 count), Improper Lane Change (1 count), Theft by Receiving Stolen Property (1 count), Possession of Marijuana (1 count), Possession of a Controlled Substance (2 counts), and Probation Violation (1 count).