(Lawrenceville, Ga., 06/06/2024) - A band of thieves face charges in connection with 492 car break-ins across Gwinnett County as part of a large conspiracy. The seven men are also accused of shooting at a someone who caught them in the act and of out-right stealing cars to use in their ongoing criminal enterprise.

Javaris Cardell Gamble (23), Myles David Cameron (22), Kylija Devion Yates (23), Randy D. Martinez (24), Emmanuel Carvarria-Ornelas (24), Giovanni Louis Bell (27) and Kejuan Miliam (24) are charged with Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. Other charges include, aggravated assault, entering an automobile or other motor vehicle with intent to commit theft or felony, entering an automobile, theft by taking, and misdemeanor criminal trespass.

“The Gwinnett County District Attorney is committed to eradicating organized crime,” said Gwinnett County Chief Assistant District Attorney John Melvin. “We appreciate the exemplary work of the Gwinnett County Police Department disrupting this crime spree. Now, with this indictment, the DA’s office will seek to ensure the defendants are held accountable.”

Between Nov. 24, 2022, and March 28, 2024, the seven men are accused of breaking into the nearly 500 vehicles to steal guns, cash, and other items. Gwinnett County Police noticed a trend of cargo vans being broken into at night and high-end painting equipment being stolen.

On July 19, 2023, when a homeowner discovered the crew breaking into a car, a member of the group armed with a gun opened fire on the homeowner. The victim was unharmed, however. 

The group is also said to have stolen several cars from Gwinnett County and used the cars to break into and steal from other vehicles in neighboring counties. Police determined the defendants operated from a safe house in the East Point area of Fulton County where they would return with the stolen items. Investigators were able to identify the group using fingerprint analysis, DNA recovered from crime scenes, surveillance footage and cell phone data.

Four of the seven defendants, Yates, Cameron, Gamble, and Chavarria-Ornelas have been arrested and are in custody in the Gwinnett County Jail. Martinez has been arrested in Florida and is awaiting extradition to Gwinnett. Miliam and Bell remain at large. 

If convicted at trial on the RICO charges, each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison.

The Gwinnett County Police Department, Lilburn Police, Duluth Police, Cobb County Police, Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigations were instrumental in bringing these charges.

Click here for photos courtesy of the Gwinnett County Police Department.