3 Accused International Thieves Charged In Cumming Burglary Attempt

CUMMING, GA — Three people are facing charges after being accused of being involved in an international theft ring, according to the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities said Thursday deputies responded on Dec. 30, 2022, to a Peachtree Parkway jewelry business in reference to an alarm, where they discovered forced entry in the building's roof.

The sheriff's office credited the quick response of deputies and the security system in preventing any theft.

The three people accused in the case are part of the South American Theft Group, authorities said. The sheriff's office said the SATG and similar groups have targeted local businesses and homes.

"These groups have been active across metro-Atlanta, and FCSO has tracked them to over a dozen states," authorities said in a news release.

Maykel Hernandez, 39, Giorge Navea, 33, and Javier Guerra-Morales, 31, were charged on suspicion of burglary-smash and grab and criminal damage to property, authorities said.

All three men are awaiting extradition: Hernandez from Dallas, Texas; Navea from Miami, Florida; and Guerra-Morales from Hialeah, Florida.

The trio has been connected to burglaries and burglary attempts in Marietta, Canton, Alpharetta and Knoxville, Tennessee, authorities said.

"This is another excellent example of good police work and even better detective work by our Property Crimes Unit," Forsyth County Ron Freeman said in the release. "We are steadfast in our pursuit of these South American Theft groups and these criminals are quickly learning, South America is where they should have stayed. If they are on U.S. soil, FCSO will spare no expense or effort and will recognize no boundary in pursuing and arresting them. Endanger our citizens and you will quickly find out who FCSO and Forsyth County are."