Crime & Public Safety

Police: Man uses device to block Duluth cop’s radio signals during robbery

David Hannan
David Hannan
Oct 11, 2018

A routine burglary arrest in Duluth became not-so routine when an officer tried to call for backup — and couldn’t.

Duluth police said David Hannan, of Lithonia, had a device on his belt that was jamming radio signals, preventing the officer to use his radio, Channel 2 Action News reported.

Hannan is accused of using a crowbar to break into a diner near a pharmacy, which police told Channel 2 might have been the real target.

Bodycam video obtained by the news station shows officer Julian Lee-Foon corner Hannon behind the diner before realizing he couldn’t use his radio to call for backup on Sept. 30.

So he pulled out his Taser.

“If you move, I’m going to tase you right in the face,” Lee-Foon is heard saying. “If you move, you are riding 50,000 volts. You understand me.”

Bodycam video shows David Hannan being arrested after allegedly trying to commit a robbery in Duluth, police said. (Photo: Channel 2 Action News)
Bodycam video shows David Hannan being arrested after allegedly trying to commit a robbery in Duluth, police said. (Photo: Channel 2 Action News)

Backup arrived a few minutes later, and Hannan was handcuffed, Channel 2 reported.

While he was being arrested, police said they found a device with six antennas sticking out on his hip, which they said was a signal jammer, the news station reported.

Hannan faces charges of felony burglary, possession of tools for the commission of a felony and three misdemeanors, according to jail records. He remains in the Gwinnett County Jail without bond.

Police told Channel 2 Hannan could be involved in as many as 40 pharmacy burglaries from Gwinnett and Cobb counties. Currently, he only faces charges in connection with the Duluth incident.

Police said a woman was also trying to reach Hannan’s cellphone during the incident, and they believe she was a getaway driver parked nearby.

An investigation is ongoing.

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About the Author

Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. He's been with the newspaper since 2018 and enjoys diving into complex stories that affect people's lives.

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