Sunday, October 13, 2002

Bond denied for PTC jewelry theft suspects

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

Three suspects accused of stealing $100,000 in jewelry from a courier's vehicle in Peachtree City last week have been denied bond.

Juan Fernando Sellhorn-Vergara , 26, of Santiago, Chile, Marcelo Bonilla Salazar, 32, of Puerto Rico and Jhon Blanquis, 22, address unknown, are each charged with one felony count of entering an automobile. Blanquis is also charged with driving without a license.

The trio may become suspects in similar incidents that have occurred in metro Atlanta and as far away as Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., according to police. All three suspects are believed to be illegal aliens.

Police are still trying to identify several other suspects through fingerprints and other evidence found at the scene that is being processed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, said Maj. Mike DuPree of the Peachtree City Police Department. Police are also looking for a green Toyota Camry that was involved in the incident.

The three suspects in custody were arrested on Ga. Highway 74 in a black Ford Explorer over two hours after the incident was reported as police conducted an intensive canvas of the area. Police believe the three suspects switched vehicles after the theft; shortly after the theft, police received complaints of suspicious activity in the Hippocket Road area and the individual's description matched the description of one of the suspects in the theft.

The Hippocket Road area was likely where the suspects planned to switch vehicles, DuPree said.

The courier's vehicle was located at the Braelinn Village shopping center on Crosstown Drive when the incident took place. According to warrants, the suspects entered a 2002 Mazda 626 and stole a blue suitcase and a black suitcase containing earrings, rings and pendants.

Anyone with information about the incident that could help police is asked to contact Lt. John Jenkins at 770-631-2510.

 



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