NGV News

Tag: CRIME

  • Gwinnett County Police Department seeks public’s help identifying 1981 homicide victim

    Gwinnett County Police Department seeks public’s help identifying 1981 homicide victim

    Duluth – More than four decades after her body was discovered along a rural Gwinnett County roadway, investigators are again asking for the public’s help in identifying a young woman whose killing remains unsolved.

    According to the Gwinnett County Police Department, the woman’s body was found Aug. 11, 1981, in a ditch near a trash dump off Highway 120 in the Duluth area, near McDaniel Road. Authorities believe she had been deceased for approximately five days before she was located.

    Her death was ruled a homicide, and investigators suspect she was strangled.

    The victim is described as a Black woman between 20 and 30 years old. She was approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighed between 150 and 160 pounds. She had brown eyes, pierced ears and brown hair styled in a short afro.

    When she was discovered, the woman was wearing a brown or purple pleated short-sleeve dress and a white bra. Investigators recovered several pieces of jewelry from the scene, including multiple rings, earrings, a yellow metal necklace and a silver bracelet engraved with the name “Monet” on the back.

    Detectives believe the jewelry, particularly the engraved bracelet, could be a key detail in determining her identity. Despite investigative efforts spanning more than 40 years, the woman has never been identified, and no arrests have been made in the case.

    Authorities say advancements in forensic technology over the years have allowed cold cases to be reexamined, and renewed public attention can sometimes generate new leads. Investigators are hopeful that someone may recognize the description, remember a missing loved one from that time period or recall information that could help identify the victim.

    The Gwinnett County Police Department’s Homicide Unit continues to review evidence and pursue leads in the case. Detectives are asking anyone with information — no matter how small it may seem — to come forward.

    Anyone with information is urged to contact the Gwinnett County Police Department Homicide Unit at 770-513-5300. Those wishing to remain anonymous may contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or visit stopcrimeATL.com. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment.

    Investigators say that even after decades, the goal remains the same: to restore the victim’s name and hold the person responsible accountable.

  • Hall County parents charged after 8-year-old brings handgun to elementary school

    Hall County parents charged after 8-year-old brings handgun to elementary school

    GAINESVILLE — Hall County Sheriff’s Office investigators have charged the parents of an 8-year-old boy who brought a handgun to Myers Elementary School on Thursday morning, Feb. 26.

    Heather Thuy Rodriguez, 31, of Gainesville, was arrested Thursday afternoon following the initial investigation. The child’s father, Cristian Ruben Rodriguez-Martinez, 31, of Gainesville, turned himself in at the Hall County Jail on Friday afternoon.

    Both parents were charged with misdemeanor reckless conduct for allegedly leaving the firearm unsecured and accessible to their son.

    According to investigators, the second-grade student removed the handgun from the center console of his parents’ vehicle and brought it into his bedroom Wednesday evening, Feb. 25. He then took the weapon to school the following morning.

    Authorities said that around 8:15 a.m. Thursday, the boy showed the handgun to another student, who alerted a teacher. The school principal searched the child, confiscated the firearm and notified the school resource officer, prompting an investigation.

    Officials said the handgun contained a loaded magazine but did not have a round chambered.

    Heather Rodriguez posted $1,300 bond and was released late Thursday night. Cristian Rodriguez-Martinez posted $1,300 bond and was released early Saturday morning.

    The investigation remains ongoing.

  • Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch arrested on DUI charge

    Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch arrested on DUI charge

    HALL COUNTY — Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch was arrested Friday, Feb. 27, on charges including driving under the influence, according to jail records.

    Gerald Jay Couch, 63, was booked into the Hall County Jail on charges of DUI — alcohol/less safe, open container and failure to maintain lane.

    Bond was set at $1,560.

    Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the arrest. Sources told Now Georgia that Couch was arrested after reportedly running his vehicle into a ditch. That information has not been independently confirmed.

    Couch has been with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office since 1981 and has served as sheriff since first being elected in 2012.

    In December, the sheriff’s office announced Couch would step away from day-to-day duties to address a health issue. He returned to work in early January. No additional details about his leave were released.

    This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

  • Gwinnett Crime Log for 2/16/26-2/22/26

    Gwinnett Crime Log for 2/16/26-2/22/26

    The following reports were filed by the Gwinnett County Police Department between February 16, 2026 – February 22, 2026.

    • Officers responded to reports of simple assault at the 000 block of Poplar Street NE, the 400 block of Ruth Court NE, the 1000 block of Arbor Grove Way NE, the 1600 block of Horizon Parkway, the 1700 block of Ivy Stone Court NE, the 2400 block of Tall Oak Drive NE, the 2700 block of N Bogan Road NE, the 2800 block of Buford Drive NE, the 3300 block of Buford Drive NE, the 3400 block of Andover Way NE and the 4000 block of Spring Lake Circle NE. Buford addresses.
    • Simple assaults were also reported at the 1000 block of Level Creek Road NE and the 4600 block of Pine Tree Circle NE. Sugar Hill addresses.
    • A simple assault was also reported at the 4500 block of Lochsa Lane NW in Suwanee.
    • Officers responded to reports of forcible sodomy at the 000 block of Poplar Street NE and the 1800 block of Appaloosa Lane NE. Buford addresses.
    • Simple battery was reported at the 200 block of Gilliflower Park in Suwanee.
    • Sexual battery was reported at the 600 block of Grove Manor Park in Suwanee.
    • Officers responded to a report of stalking – misdemeanor at the 100 block of Buford Highway in Suwanee. 
    • Theft by deception (F) was reported at the 3700 block of Portland Trail Drive in Suwanee.
    • Shoplifting was reported at the 3200 block of Woodward Crossing Boulevard twice, the 3300 block of Buford Drive NE twice, the 3700 block of Buford Drive NE and the 4300 block of Buford Drive NE. Buford addresses.
    • Theft by shoplifting (M) was reported at the 3200 block of Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road four times in Suwanee.
    • False pretense/swindle/confidence game was reported at the 3100 block of Woodward Crossing Boulevard NE, the 3100 block of Nelson Brogdon Boulevard NE, the 4100 block of Brynhill Lane NE and Buford Drive & Brandsmart Way. Buford addresses.
    • Officers responded to reports of all other larceny at the 1400 block of S Richland Creek Road NE, the 2900 block of Buford Drive NE, the 3300 block of Buford Drive NE and the 4400 block of Nelson Brogdon Boulevard NE. Buford addresses.
    • Driving under the influence was reported at I-85 NW & Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road in Suwanee.
    • Destructive/damage/vandalism of property was reported at the 100 block of Arnold Street NE, the 800 block of Long Branch Circle NE, the 1800 block of Appaloosa Lane NE and the 3200 block of Woodward Crossing Boulevard NE. Buford addresses.
    • Officers responded to reports of drug/narcotic violations at the 4500 block of Cheeley Drive NE and Horizon Parkway & Satellite Boulevard in Buford.
    • VGCSA/possession/controlled substance was reported at Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road & Northolt Parkway in Suwanee.
    • Officers responded to a report of public drunkenness at the 400 block of McGinnis Ferry Road in Suwanee.

  • Gwinnett Crime Log for 1/19/26-1/25/26

    The Gwinnett County Police Department filed the following reports between January 19, 2026, and January 25, 2026.

    • Officers responded to reports of simple assaults at the 1000 block of Arbor Grove Way NE, the 2300 block of White Adler Drive NE, the 2500 block of Mill Center Parkway NE and the 2700 block of Mall of Georgia Drive NE. Buford addresses.
    • A simple assault was also reported at the 5300 block of Nelson Brogdon Boulevard NE in Sugar Hill.
    • An aggravated assault was reported at the 700 block of Brogdon Road NE in Suwanee.
    • Officers responded to a report of battery – (M) at the 4000 block of McGinnis Ferry Road in Suwanee.
    • Officers responded to a report of terroristic threats and acts (F) at the 4500 block of Settles Point in Suwanee.
    • An aggravated assault was reported at the 1800 block of Appaloosa Lane NE in Buford.
    • Officers responded to a report of theft from motor vehicle at the 2900 block of Buford Drive NE.
    • Officers responded to a report of entering automobile at the 3200 block of Wanstead Park Drive in Buford.
    • Officers responded to a report of theft by taking (F) at the 1000 block of Scales Road in Suwanee.
    • Theft by taking (M) was reported at the 4100 block of Silver Peak Parkway in Suwanee.
    • Shoplifting was reported at the 3100 block of Woodward Crossing Boulevard NE, three times at the 3200 block of Woodward Crossing Boulevard NE, the 3300 block of Buford Drive NE, the 3300 block of Mall of Georgia Boulevard NE and the 4100 block of Buford Drive NE. Buford addresses.
    • Theft by shoplifting (M) was reported nine times at the 3200 block of Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road in Suwanee.
    • Officers responded to reports of all other larceny at the 000 block of Jones Street, the 2900 block of Pebblebrook Drive NE and the 3300 block of Buford Drive NE. Buford addresses.
    • False pretense/swindle/confidence game was reported at Church Street & Magical Way in Sugar Hill.
    • Destructive/damage/vandalism of property was reported at the 1400 block of Laurel Crossing Parkway NE and the 1900 block of Rocksram Drive NE. Buford addresses.
    • Destructive/damage/vandalism of property was also reported at the 4900 block of Nelson Brogdon Boulevard NE in Sugar Hill.
    • Officers responded to reports of drug/narcotic violations at East Main Street & Roberts Street, E Main Street NE & Shadburn Ferry Road NE and Pebblebrook Drive & Vintage Lane. Buford addresses.
    • VGCSA/possession/controlled substances was reported at the 3200 block of Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road and Satellite Boulevard & Smithtown Road. Suwanee addresses.
    • Disorderly conduct was reported at the 4100 block of Buford Drive NE in Buford and at Nelson Brogdon Boulevard NE & Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Sugar Hill.

  • Early morning incident in south Hall County last week ends with arrest after string of alleged crimes

    HALL COUNTY — A quiet residential area off Tuggle Drive in south Hall County, near Buford, was disrupted early last week when residents reported a man wandering through the neighborhood, looking into windows and attempting to enter homes.

    According to authorities, the suspect — 56-year-old Lewis Clinton Miles of Flowery Branch — was seen wearing a yellow bag over his head as he moved from property to property, knocking on doors and trying to access vehicles. Deputies say he attempted to enter a home, checked multiple vehicles and a golf cart, and removed a pizza oven from a porch before continuing through the area.

    As the situation unfolded, investigators say Miles forced entry into a shed at a nearby residence and took a vehicle, which became disabled a short distance away. After abandoning it, he allegedly continued on foot and entered another vehicle before deputies confronted him. When he failed to comply with commands, officers used a Taser to take him into custody.

    Authorities later determined the neighborhood activity followed an earlier incident involving a vehicle crash. Investigators say Miles had been driving on Old Lanier Islands Drive in south Hall County when his SUV left the roadway, traveled through a cemetery, and ended up in a retention pond. He reportedly left the scene before the residential incidents began.

    Miles was transported to the Hall County Jail, where he remains held on multiple charges. Those include attempted motor vehicle theft, theft of a motor vehicle, second-degree burglary, criminal damage to property, criminal trespass, obstruction, and DUI-related offenses, along with several traffic and impairment-related violations.

    For residents, the episode left behind more questions than answers — and a lingering sense of unease that followed them back onto their porches once the flashing lights were gone.

  • Four adults shot to death in Gwinnett County home; children unharmed, police say

    LAWRENCEVILLE — Four adults were found shot to death early Friday inside a Gwinnett County home, and three children inside the residence were not injured after hiding during the violence and calling 911, police said.

    Gwinnett County police responded shortly after 2:30 a.m. to reports of gunfire at a home on Brook Ivy Court in the Lawrenceville area. When officers arrived, they found four adults inside the residence suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. All four were pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

    Police said three children — ages 7, 10 and 12 — were inside the home at the time of the shooting. The children hid in a closet, and the 12-year-old placed the 911 call that led officers to the scene. All three children were physically unharmed.

    The suspect was identified as 51-year-old Vijay Kumar of Atlanta, who was taken into custody without incident a short distance from the home, police said.

    Authorities identified the victims as 43-year-old Meenu Dogra, Kumar’s wife, along with 33-year-old Gourav Kumar, 37-year-old Nidhi Chander and 38-year-old Harish Chander. Police said the adults were related by blood or marriage and were staying at the home.

    Investigators said the shooting appears to be domestic-related, though a motive has not been released. The investigation remains ongoing.

    Kumar faces multiple charges, including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and cruelty to children, according to police. Jail records did not immediately list bond information.

    The children were later placed in the care of family members, authorities said.

  • Man found shot to death inside Gwinnett County home, police investigating homicide

    SNELLVILLE — Gwinnett County police are investigating a homicide after a man was found shot to death early Sunday morning inside a home in unincorporated Gwinnett County near Snellville.

    Officers were called about 3:10 a.m. to a residence in the 3800 block of Saddle Ridge Drive after a person at the home contacted authorities requesting help, police said. When officers arrived, they found an adult man suffering from at least one gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

    Family members identified the victim as a 36-year-old father of two young girls who lived at the home. Relatives and neighbors described him as a good man and a good neighbor, according to WSB-TV Channel 2.

    UPDATE: Gwinnett County police have identified the victim as 36-year-old Abel Alejandro Unzicker Chavez and announced an arrest in the case. Police said 30-year-old Derrick Devon Thomas has been arrested and charged with felony murder and additional firearm-related offenses in connection with the shooting.

    Gwinnett County police confirmed the shooting is being treated as a homicide. Detectives and crime scene investigators remained at the residence for several hours collecting evidence and interviewing individuals connected to the scene.

    Authorities said the shooting appears to be an isolated incident and that there is no ongoing threat to the surrounding community.

    Anyone with information related to the shooting is asked to contact the Gwinnett County Police Department at 770-513-5300 or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

  • Gwinnett police say suspect treats dealership like a drive-thru for car keys

    Norcross — Gwinnett County police are searching for a suspect who apparently decided New Year’s Day was a good time to go car shopping — without paying.

    According to investigators, the man arrived at Atlanta Unique Auto Sales on Buford Highway driving a vehicle police say was already stolen. Once inside the dealership, surveillance images show the suspect taking multiple sets of vehicle keys from a counter before leaving the business.

    Police say the stolen vehicle the suspect arrived in had been taken from Doraville, raising concerns that the incident may have been part of a larger theft pattern rather than a crime of opportunity.

    Investigators also say the suspect is believed to regularly carry a firearm. Officers are urging the public not to approach him and instead contact law enforcement immediately if he is seen.

    No arrests have been announced, and police have not said whether any of the vehicles connected to the stolen keys have been recovered.

    Gwinnett County police are asking anyone who recognizes the suspect or has information related to the incident to call 911.

  • 15-year-old charged as adult in fatal Uber driver carjacking in Lawrenceville

    LAWRENCEVILLE — A 15-year-old boy has been charged as an adult with murder after police say he shot and killed an Uber driver during a carjacking early New Year’s Day in Gwinnett County.

    Officers responded about 5:20 a.m. Thursday to the 600 block of Groveland Parkway in Lawrenceville after a 911 caller reported a person lying in the roadway, police said. They found 58-year-old Cesar Antonio Tejada of Grayson suffering from at least one gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

    Investigators said Tejada was working as an Uber driver and had picked up the suspect around 4:13 a.m. on Rangewood Drive in Lilburn. The ride ended in the Groveland Parkway area, where police say the suspect exited the back seat, shot Tejada and removed him from the vehicle before fleeing.

    Authorities said there was no argument or prior relationship between the driver and passenger, and detectives believe the motive was to steal the vehicle. Tejada’s body was left in the roadway as the suspect drove away in the SUV.

    Police used neighborhood surveillance video, doorbell camera footage, FLOCK safety technology and trip data provided by Uber to track the stolen vehicle. Officers located it later Thursday at a home on Hardwood Circle in Lilburn, where the suspect was taken into custody around 1 p.m.

    The suspect, identified as Christian Simmons of Lilburn, is being prosecuted as an adult. He faces charges including murder, hijacking a motor vehicle, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon during the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a person under 18. A booking photo has not been released because of his age.

    Police have not said how many times Tejada was shot or whether the firearm has been recovered. The investigation remains ongoing.

    Uber said it was saddened by the driver’s death and extended condolences to Tejada’s family. The company said the rider account associated with the trip has been permanently banned and that it is cooperating with law enforcement.

    Tejada was described by police as a husband and father of two who was working early morning hours to support his family. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Lawrenceville Police Department.