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CONSTRUCTION THEFT LEADS TO TRAFFICKING CHARGE

(Dacula, Ga., July 30, 2024)—The Gwinnett County Police arrested five individuals, totaling six felony warrants, seven misdemeanor warrants, twelve outstanding warrants, and over 100 grams of methamphetamine seized.

On July 24, officers assigned to our East precinct Community Response Team were investigating the theft of construction materials from a nearby site when, with the help of Flock cameras, they spotted the suspect vehicle at a nearby gas station. Officers began interviewing the occupants in the vehicle, which led them to uncover multiple individuals involved in the theft of the materials. A multiday investigation involving multiple interviews led officers to charge Joseph Menelao (age 49, Lawrenceville) with trafficking in methamphetamine, possession and use of drug-related objects, loitering, and felony theft by taking. Casey Joe Brooks (age 48, Winder) was charged with giving a false name to a law enforcement officer. Joanna Barrett (age 41, Lawrenceville) was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug-related objects. Melissa Hood-Conley (age 37, Sugar Hill) was charged with felony theft by taking, loitering, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug-related objects. Brian Prather (age 50, Lawrenceville) was charged with felony theft by taking and loitering.

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