Father and Son Arrested in String of Georgia Commercial Burglaries

On Sunday, January 12, 2025, officers from the LaFayette Police Department responded to a reported burglary at the Dollar Tree store located in the Walmart shopping center on S. Main Street. Preliminary investigation revealed that a safe had been breached, and approximately $3,000 in cash was stolen. Additionally, the hard drive from the store’s surveillance system was also taken. While two other adjoining businesses were entered, no items were reported missing from them.

As the investigation unfolded, LaFayette police determined that there had been another commercial burglary in Chattooga County on the same night, with the same method of operation. Investigators from Chattooga County were able to recover surveillance footage from the business, identifying two suspects and the vehicle they were operating. The suspects were later confirmed to be Clifton Mitchell, 66, and his son, Richard Mitchell, 41, both from Murray County, Georgia. Both individuals had prior criminal records and were on probation for previous burglary convictions.

With this critical information, LaFayette investigators acquired additional surveillance footage from the Dollar Tree, which showed the same suspect vehicle in the area at the time of the burglary. Further investigation into Clifton Mitchell’s whereabouts revealed that he was on parole and was required to wear an ankle monitor. Data from the ankle monitor placed Clifton Mitchell at the Dollar Tree and the Chattooga County burglary location, as well as in proximity to other commercial burglary sites in Rome, Georgia.

On January 15, 2025, a coordinated effort between multiple law enforcement agencies led to the apprehension of both suspects. The LaFayette Police Department, Chattooga County Sheriff’s Department, Rome Police Department, Murray County Sheriff’s Department, and several other agencies, including the Georgia Department of Community Supervision, executed a search warrant at the Mitchells’ residence on Red Cut Road in Chatsworth, Murray County. During the search, officers recovered tools commonly used in burglaries, as well as the clothing worn by the suspects during the crimes.

Both Clifton and Richard Mitchell were arrested and booked into the Walker County Detention Facility. They were charged with one count of Burglary in the 2nd Degree related to the Dollar Tree burglary. Additional charges for burglaries in Chattooga and Floyd counties are expected to follow. Both suspects also face charges for violation of probation, given their previous criminal history.

The successful arrests were made possible by the extensive collaboration among local, county, and state agencies. Lt. Robert Tate of the LaFayette Police Department praised the cooperative effort, recognizing the work of all officers involved, including those from the LaFayette Police Department, Chattooga County Sheriff’s Department, Rome Police Department, and other agencies.

The Mitchells’ arrest brings an end to a series of burglaries targeting businesses across multiple counties in Georgia, with investigations ongoing into further criminal activities. Law enforcement officials are continuing to investigate the full scope of the Mitchells’ criminal actions, which may involve additional charges and further details about their alleged involvement in the string of burglaries.