Update: 7/13/2019
In giving an update at Friday’s TRIAD meeting in Loganville regarding the armed robberies that targeted Asian restaurants in recent months, Loganville Assistant Police Chief Dick Lowry said that there are now three people in custody.
“There are three in custody and some have been charged,” Lowry said, adding that two of the three have given statements. “It looks like this will involve about 28 robberies. These guys had become increasingly more violent. In one incident down in Madison they actually knocked down a young lady and she has a brain injury. It is serious.”
Initial story – June 24, 2019
(Snellville, Georgia) The Gwinnett County Police Department report that the department has made an arrest in the Asian robberies that have plagued the area in the last few months. Since making the arrest, GCPD is investigating whether the person arrested is possibly linked to other armed robberies in the area.
Since March of this year, Gwinnett County and the Metro Atlanta area have seen an increase in crimes against Asian business owners. Gwinnett Police have received reports of nine such cases. There have been two in the City of Loganville, – one in Gwinnett County and one in Walton County.
The arrest that GCPD is reporting involved an incident that occurred on May 26, 2019 at 2797 Apple Orchard Trail in unincorporated Snellville in which the victim was followed home from his business and assaulted, robbed, and burglarized.
According to GCPD, detectives from the Robbery Unit and Burglary Unit were able to locate evidence at the scene that led to the development of probable cause to charge Emmanuel Rakestraw, 26, of Decatur, with this crime. Rakestraw is also under investigation for criminal street gang activity.
“Due to this, and the violent nature of the crime, GCPD SWAT served the arrest warrant on June 19, 2019 in Lithonia. Rakestraw was taken into custody without incident,” GCPD reported in a press release. “Detectives are still investigating all leads and tips and are looking into any possible accomplices he may have had, as well as investigating his possible connection to similar cases in Gwinnett. GCPD will continue to investigate these crimes, consult and work with affected agencies in the Metro area, and prosecute those responsible.”
If anyone has any information to share in this case, they are asked contact GCPD detectives at 770-513-5300. To remain anonymous, tipsters should contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or visit www.stopcrimeATL.com. Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case. Case Number: 19-047666
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