Woodstock, Cherokee County GA. February 2, 2010 - Cherokee Sheriff’s Office detectives have been investigating a string of entering autos that have been occurring around the eastern and southeastern region of Cherokee County. Twenty different incidents of theft from a vehicle have been reported to the sheriff’s office but due to the property that has been recovered and after interviewing suspects involved in the investigation, detectives believe that as many as 60 separate thefts can be attributed this investigation.

Currently four suspects have been arrested and additional arrests are expected. John Sharp, 20 years old of Woodstock, was arrested January 22nd and is currently in custody charged with 16 counts of Entering Auto and 2 counts of Theft of Lost or Mislaid Property. His bond is set at $92,380.00. Also arrested was Tyler Nash, 17 years old of Woodstock. Nash was arrested January 25th and remains in custody with a $15,700.00 bond. Chad York, 18 years old of Woodstock, was also arrested. York was arrested on January 29th and charged with 3 counts of Party to a Crime – Entering Auto. York was released the next day on a $17,100.00 bond. A fourth suspect was arrested and charged with 18 counts of Entering Auto. The suspect in question was a juvenile and was released to his/her parents. Additional arrests are expected.

It appears all the suspects worked in conjunction with one another. Every car that had property taken from it was unlocked. The majority of property taken consisted of Mp3 players, GPSs, laptops, cash, pocketbooks and 1 firearm. Detectives suspect many of the items stolen were traded for drugs. Detectives have returned much of the stolen property but have recovered some items that were never reported stolen. If you suspect items were taken from your vehicle during this time frame and can prove ownership, please contact the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at 770-928-0239.

The Cherokee Sheriff’s Office would like to urge citizens to secure their vehicles at all times. Locking your car doors can all but eliminate your chance of becoming a victim of Entering Auto.