UPDATE Thursday, 10:35 a.m.: 88 charges filed against 4 suspects
An observant citizen is being credited for helping solve a rash of entering auto cases and a handful of golf cart thefts. Four people have been arrested so far, including a mother and son tandem, as police suspect they have been involved in selling the stolen merchandise
which included iPods, video cameras and digital cameras.
Residents victimized by the scheme can call the police department to claim their stolen items. The suspects, meanwhile, face a total of 88 charges so far, including 72 counts of entering an automobile, eight charges of golf cart theft and two burglary counts, police said.
On Oct. 23 around 3 a.m., a citizen spotted someone inside his vehicle and confronted the suspect, who ran from the area, police said. But the citizen was able to give a “good description” to 911 operators.
During a subsequent search of the area, officers located the suspect, identified as Bobby McDougal, 17, of Pebblestump Point, Peachtree City, police said. McDougal was found with several stolen items including a handgun and a golf cart that belonged to a friend, police said.
Police said search warrants at McDougal’s home netted additional stolen property, in addition to an area behind the home of another suspect arrested in the case: Malcolm McLachlan, 17, of Gateway Point, Peachtree City. McDougal’s mother, Michelle McDougal, 39, of Pebblestump Point was also arrested in connection with the case along with a juvenile.
The arrests were connected to at least 40 reported thefts as well as five golf cart thefts, police said.
Charges filed in the case so far include:
• Bobby McDougal: entering an automobile, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a person under 21, burglary, loitering/prowling and contributing to the delinquency of a minor;
• Michelle McDougal: theft by receiving stolen property and obstruction of a police officer;
• Malcolm McLachlan: entering an auto, burglary and motor vehicle theft; and
• A juvenile, age not released: entering an auto (party to a crime).
NOTE: this story has been edited to provide the correct age for Ms. McDougal, as the orginial version listed her age incorrectly.
