Gwinnett Police announced the arrest of two young men suspected of recent spree of violent crimes, which had left two victims still hospitalized — one in serious condition — Wednesday afternoon.
Police have charged Anthony Penick, 20, and Ezekiel Boyd, 17, both with armed robbery and Boyd also with aggravated assault, said Cpl. Jake Smith.
The crime spree series began Dec. 19 with a burglary of an apartment near Norcross that resulted in the theft of multiple firearms, including rifles, Smith said.
Witnesses reported seeing suspects carrying rifle cases away from the incident location and leaving in a cream colored Toyota Camry — the car becoming the first puzzle piece possibly making them suspects in other crimes.
Seven days later officers responded to a “drive-by style shooting” at Richmond on the Fairway apartments near Lawrenceville where they found a woman bleeding from a gunshot wound to her leg, Smith said.
Officers quickly realized that Petrona Pinnock’s wound was serious but fortunately had been trained in the last year at applying “combat application tourniquets,” Smith said. Two of Pinnock’s children and one grandchild were also in the home at the time of the shooting, but were not injured, Smith said.
The 52-year-old woman is now recovering in a hospital, Smith said.
“Detectives believe the suspects targeted Pinnock’s home under the assumption that rival gang members lived there,”Smith said. “Pinnock and her family had only recently moved in.”
Approximately one hour after the first shooting, officers responded to a report of a robbery and shooting at Sienna Heights apartments near Norcross, Smith said.
Two robbers — one carrying a handgun, the other a rifle — approached Juan Sanchez, 35, and Jose Garcia, 24, and demanded money, Smith said.
“Garcia … grabbed the rifle the first suspect was holding and fought for possession of it,” Smith said. “While this struggle was happening, the second suspect shot Sanchez.
Both suspects immediately fled in a cream colored Toyota Camry, Smith said.
Sanchez was still hospitalized in serious condition from the gunshot Wednesday afternoon, Smith said.
Shortly later, police tried to stop the Camry when they spotted it nearby which resulted in a short chase with the two men fleeing into woods near Graves Road and Esquire Place, Smith said.
A police dog tracked down both men and they were arrested, Smith said.
Penick and Boyd are in the Gwinnett jail without bond and detectives are investigating their possible involvement in additional crimes. Anyone with information on these suspects or crimes are asked to contact detectives at 770-513-5300. To remain anonymous, tipsters should contact Crime Stoppers at 404-557-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimestoppersatlanta.org. Crime Stoppers tipsters are eligible to receive a reward of up to $2000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment.
About the Author
