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Crime & Safety

Arrestee Says He May Go Back to Dealing Drugs

Man arrested for solicitation complains that if he cannot earn an honest living, he'll just return to his previous occupation of drug dealer.

Old habits really do die hard.

After his arrest on solicitation charges, a Dacula man complained to Gwinnett County deputies that he would go back to dealing drugs if he couldn't make an "honest" living.

Gwinnett County Police were called to the 2000 block of Katie Ann Lane in Dacula on July 19 after a homeowner called to report a male was knocking on doors and, if no-one answered the door, walking around to the back of the homes. The caller provided police with a physical description of the suspect.

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An officer located a male matching the description given by the caller walking in the roadway near Harbin Oaks Drive. The male, later identified as David Hayes, 52, of 2548 Pharr Avenue in Dacula, advised the officer he was going door to door to offer lawn services because he needed money. According to the officer's report, Hayes said that if the homeowners were not available, then he would leave a note on their doors. He added that he had not left any notes in the neighborhood where police made contact with him.

The officer checked Hayes' name and date of birth through the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) database and discovered Hayes was listed as being on probation. The check also revealed that Hayes' Georgia license had been suspended 13 times from 1991 to 2007. Hayes was placed under arrest and charged with soliciting without a permit.

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After transporting Hayes to the Gwinnett County Jail, the officer heard Hayes complaining about his arrest. 

"He stated that he was just trying to make a living," the officer wrote in the arrest report. "He continued by stating that if he can't try to earn an honest living the right way, he will just go back to dealing drugs."

Hayes was released the following day on a $280 bond.

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