Crab Leg Thief Flees From Police

UPDATED MAY 23 AT 8:36 A.M. - Gwinnett County police searched a wooded area along I-85 last Thursday in an attempt to apprehend a shoplifting suspect who fled from loss prevention officers at the Hamilton Mill Walmart.

According to the police report, two men, who loss prevention officers described as known shoplifters, entered the store around 9 a.m. on May 20. One suspect, later identified as Justin Andrews, 41, of 2141 Dawn Court in Suwanee, was seen cutting the plastic packaging off CDs and DVDs and other merchandise. The loss prevention officer said the second suspect then concealed the merchandise in his pants.

When the suspects attempted to leave the store, they were confronted by loss prevention officers. Andrews remained at the scene, but the other suspect fled.

Officers searched the area surrounding Walmart, but were unable to locate the second suspect.

During a search of Andrews’ vehicle, officers found an identification card belonging to the second suspect and stolen crab legs. The loss prevention officer advised that the second suspect had briefly left the store and is believed to have hidden the seafood in the vehicle at that time. In total, Andrews and the second suspect are accused of stealing $317 in merchandise and $67 worth of crab legs.

Andrews was charged with theft by shoplifting and given a criminal trespass warning not to return to the store.

Other recent Dacula area incidents investigated by the Gwinnett County Police Department include:

May 19

• Entering auto in the 400 block of Rabbit Hill Road.

(For more seafood related larceny, see ".")

NOTE: This article was updated in include the address of the arrestee.