Police nab suspected serial liquor thief

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga — Sandy Springs police have issued arrest warrants for one of several men they said are behind a rash of liquor store burglaries.

Police told Channel 2’s Mike Petchenik they are looking for 20-year-old Brente Hawkins of Riverdale in connection with at least three burglaries, including two in Sandy Springs and another in Brookhaven. Police are also looking at a similar burglary at a store in Milton to see if it was connected.

“The method of operation is they take a rock, or whatever they can find, and break out the window of the business,” said Sgt. Ron Momon.  “(They) run inside, grab as much alcohol they can grab, throw it in the back of the trunk and take off.”

Police showed Petchenik surveillance video of one burglary at the Juice Box on Powers Ferry Road in Sandy Springs that showed the men pull up in a small Honda vehicle, then load several cases of alcohol into the car.

The owner of another store, the Liquor Cabinet, on Spalding Drive, told Petchenik the suspects stole several thousand dollar’s worth of alcohol from him.

“Six guys coming in, in a matter of two minutes, two cars, cleared out all the Hennessey, Grey Goose, all of the high-end tequila stuff,” said Maulik, who asked Petchenik not to use his last name.

Maulik said he hopes police can catch Hawkins and the others responsible.

“Either they’re greedy or stupid,” he said. “Just hope they get caught because there’s a lot of people that work hard for what they do, and for somebody to just come in there and take it, is just ruthless.”

WSBTV