The Gwinnett County Police Department’s Aviation Unit was conducting a routine air patrol of the Buford Drive and Interstate 985 area on Friday, May 5, when officers observed suspicious behavior at a U-Haul storage facility in Buford.

According to a statement released by Gwinnett police, pilots of AIR 1, the department’s helicopter, communicated about 9:30 p.m. with nearby officers that a male was seen walking around the storage facility attempting to open the front gate. 

Officers on the ground responded to the Buford Drive location after AIR 1 pilots observed the male making entry into the gated area of the storage facility by climbing over the fence.

Once inside, the suspect approached a parked U-Haul box truck, opened the driver’s door and placed items inside. 

When officers made contact with the male, he fled on foot into the complex.  After a brief pursuit, officers used a Taser to detain the suspect, who was then placed under arrest.  

The suspect was identified as Deyonte Joseph, 30, of Lithonia. He was charged with loitering and prowling, obstruction, two counts of Schedule 1 drug possession and one felony count of possession of marijuana. 

The suspect was released from the Gwinnett County Jail on bail.