Four evicted tenants allegedly attacked the owner of their Gwinnett County rental home Monday night. But sheriff’s deputies were nearby and able to thwart the attack from escalating.
Deputies were at the Lawrenceville home, on Deidre Marie Court, to assist homeowner Gladys Garcia with the eviction, Deputy Shannon Volkodav with the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday. As the deputies were leaving the neighborhood, they realized the eviction crew was not behind them, she said.
“The deputies returned to the location to check on the welfare of the eviction crew and observed the four evicted tenants in an altercation with the homeowner,” Volkodav said in an emailed statement.
Garcia was attempting to leave the area when she was punched in the face, thrown to the ground and attacked by the four former tenants, the sheriff’s office said. During the attack, Garcia was able to retrieve a gun from her vehicle and fired one shot, but she did not strike anyone, according to police. Garcia sustained scratches and lacerations on her face and hands during the attack.
In an interview late Tuesday with Channel 2 Action News, Garcia said the eviction process had taken about five months, but she had no other choice.
“I was having too many problems with them on the property,” Garcia said.
Deputies arrested Miguel Gonzalez Martinez, Jonathan Martinez Delgado, Thabata Abigay Martinez and Suvanee Cherrlyn Martinez and charged each with battery.
All four remained in the Gwinnett County jail late Tuesday, booking records show. In addition to the battery charge, Miguel Martinez, Delgado and Thabata Martinez were being held on immigration violations, according to jail records.
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