Police battle organized retail theft gangs

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Peachtree City law enforcement officials continue to make headway in the battle against a new type of organized crime.

Officers with the Crime Suppression Unit made a May 24 traffic stop on W. Hwy. 54 at Home Depot in reference to a seat belt violation. The occupants of the vehicle were also “organized retail theft suspects,” according to a police report.

Edgar Munoz, 42, and Jaelon Munoz, 17, both of Palmetto, were arrested at the scene and taken into custody for multiple warrants for felony theft by shoplifting. The Fayette County Jail log indicated that each faces four felony counts.

Approximately $3,000 in merchandise was recovered from their residence and returned to the victim, police said.

Elsewhere in Peachtree City, a May 26 traffic stop shortly before midnight on Hwy. 74 near Wisdom Road came about after a black Dodge Caliber was seen and a registration check showed that registration had been canceled.

As it turned out, there was a good reason for that. The driver of the car was found to be driving under a suspended license — actually several suspensions, according to police. One of those was because he had been caught driving with a suspended license in 2022.

Yarice Smith, 41, of Union City was arrested and taken to Fayette County Jail.

Police spotted a vehicle moving through Peachtree City with no headlights on in the wee hours of May 26. A traffic stop took place at Hwy. 54 and MacDuff Parkway, and it resulted in the arrest of Adam Reuter, 41, of Newnan on a felony drug count along with DUI of alcohol and a headlight violation.

A traffic stop for improper stopping late in the evening of May 24 at Peachtree Parkway and Walt Banks Road found police investigating a driver who appeared to be asleep. Once contact was made, police determined that alcohol and drugs were involved.

Enrique Vilomar, 23, of Fayetteville was arrested and charged with one felony drug count as well as DUI of alcohol, driving without a valid license and improper use of a turn signal or light.

3 COMMENTS

    • Being a free society, I recommend business owners decide what to do. You seem to propose a good idea until I think of those who have nothing like Jean Valjean’s character in Hugo’s “Les Misérables.” As hard as I try, I can’t help but try to forgive those who trespass against me. I’m better for it.