August 26, 2019
Five People Arrested and Facing Gang Charges in connection with a 2018 Burglary
Kennesaw, Georgia (August 26, 2019) – On August 23, 2019, a joint investigation with the Kennesaw Police Department, the GBI’s Gang Taskforce, and the Georgia Department of Community Supervision resulted in the recovery of a stolen handgun and the arrest of 2 individuals, 19 year old Michael Ulysses Morgan and 21 year old Jamarcus Purnell both of Atlanta, Georgia. The United States Marshals Service also assisted. Antwon Mark Palmer (21), also of Atlanta, Georgia was arrested on August 19, 2019 in connection with this case.
These arrests are the culmination of an investigation that began with an incident on October 1, 2018 when officers with the Kennesaw Police Department observed a burglary in progress at the Texaco gas station at 3870 Moon Station Road, Kennesaw, Cobb County, Georgia. Five masked subjects fled the gas station in a stolen black Dodge Charger bearing a stolen license plate. The vehicle nearly struck one of the officers as it fled the scene. The vehicle was found abandoned a short time later. A cash box which had been stolen from the Texaco was recovered inside the vehicle, along with a gun, mask, gloves, bolt cutters, and two crowbars. This incident was similar in nature to many incidents which occurred in the Metro Atlanta area since April of 2018.
Through the course of the joint investigation, it was determined that the 5 suspects in this investigation are associated with the criminal street gang known as 30 Deep, a well-documented criminal street gang known for committing “smash and grabs” in northern Georgia and in the surrounding states since the late 2000’s.
To date, 5 individuals have been arrested and charged with Violation of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, Burglary – second degree, Possession of Burglary Tools, Theft by Taking, Theft by Receiving –stolen vehicle, possession of firearm by a convicted felon, Reckless Driving, and Fleeing and Attempting to Elude (Felony) in connection with the case: Vernard O’Neal, Montarius Daniels, Antwon Palmer, Jamarcus Purnell, and Michael Morgan. The investigation continues.