Athens police arrest three more gang members

The Athens-Clarke County Police Department arrested three more known gang members this week, adding to a growing list of more than 50 gang-related arrests since their November street gang operation alongside the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

This week, the ACCPD arrested Malcolm Martin, 24, of Athens, Miquan Pittard, 22, of Athens and Santino Luke, 27, of Athens. All three men arrested had criminal histories and were out on bond.

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Martin was arrested for obstruction of law enforcement and for existing arrest warrants for burglary and felony probation violation on Tuesday.

At the time of his arrest, Martin was out on bond for two counts of burglary, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, three counts of obstruction of law enforcement, three counts of entering auto, theft by receiving stolen property, three counts of financial transaction card theft, five counts of financial transaction card fraud and three counts of identity theft.

Martin is currently on probation for robbery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to the ACCPD, Martin has violated the terms of his probation a total of 17 times.

Pittard was arrested Wednesday for violation of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, obstruction of law enforcement and criminal trespass.

The ACCPD reported that Pittard was out on bond for the violation of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and theft by receiving stolen property when he was arrested.

Luke was arrested for obstruction of law enforcement and for an existing warrant for felony probation violation on Thursday. Luke was out on bond for obstruction of law enforcement, possession of marijuana, possession of drug-related objects and multiple traffic offenses at the time of his arrest on Dec. 30.

Luke is on felony probation for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and violation of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act. The ACCPD says that he has violated the terms of his probation numerous times.

The ACCPD encourages anyone with information about criminal street gang activity to use their Crime Tip Line at 706-705-4775, email the Gang Unit at [email protected] or contact their Gang Unit through their anonymous online tip website.