LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Seven members of an organized criminal ring have pleaded guilty to state racketeering and theft charges after breaking into 492 vehicles across Gwinnett County, prosecutors announced Friday. The defendants, who were between the ages of 21 and 26 at the time of the offenses, systematically targeted vehicles between November 24, 2022, and March 28, 2024. Local law enforcement first identified a trend of late-night commercial cargo van break-ins, where high-end painting equipment was routinely stolen. In addition to commercial equipment, the crew stole cash, firearms, and other personal items from hundreds of passenger vehicles. According to Gwinnett County investigators, the group operated a multi-jurisdictional network. The defendants stole several vehicles within Gwinnett County and used them to travel to and target vehicles in neighboring counties. Stolen items were transported back to a designated safe house in East Point. The enterprise turned violent on July 19, 2023, when a homeowner interrupted a vehicle break-in. An armed member of the crew opened fire on the homeowner, who was not harmed in the confrontation. Javaris Cardell Gamble was subsequently identified as the individual who fired the weapon. All seven defendants pleaded guilty to violation of the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. They also entered guilty pleas for misdemeanor criminal trespass, theft by taking, and multiple counts of entering…
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