A months-long multi-agency investigation in Hall County has resulted in numerous charges, including violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, against three members of the same family who officials say operated a local theft ring.
The arrests and charges are the result of a collaborative effort by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division – Property Section, Braselton Police Department, Gainesville Police Department, and Oakwood Police Department.
According to the investigation, Carlos Ernesto Lopez Jr., 19, of Gainesville, Jan Carlos Lopez, 22, of Oakwood, and Michael David Lopez, 32, of Gainesville, make up a group responsible for numerous entering auto and general theft cases as well as burglary and motor vehicle theft. Each suspects’ RICO charge applies to offenses the trio committed between April and June of 2020, according to a press release from the Hall County Sheriff’s Office. The crimes occurred in the south Hall County area, to include locations in the Oakwood, Flowery Branch, and Chestnut Mountain communities.
Hall County Sheriff’s Deputies made the first arrest in the case on June 3, when Michael Lopez was taken into custody for stealing an SUV earlier the same day from a residence in the 3000 block of Gilleland Circle. The vehicle, worth more than $10,000, was recovered on the day of the crime.
Michael Lopez has remained in the Hall County Jail and has since been charged with two counts of entering auto, criminal trespass, and the RICO violation. Michael is Carlos’ uncle and a cousin to Jan.
The Sheriff’s Office Warrants Unit arrested the second suspect, Carlos Lopez Jr., on June 9 at his residence. Investigators obtained warrants for computer trespass and theft by taking in the same Gilliland Circle SUV theft that Michael Lopez is charged with. The trespass charge relates to Carlos Lopez Jr. deleting a program from a computer that was stolen in the crime.
Carlos Lopez Jr. has remained in the Hall County Jail since his arrest and is also charged with second-degree burglary, ten counts of entering auto, criminal trespass, and the RICO count. Carlos is Michael’s nephew and a cousin to Jan.
The latest arrest in the case came on Tuesday, Aug. 18, when the Warrants Unit took Jan Lopez into custody at his residence. Jan Lopez is charged with nine counts of entering auto and the RICO violation. Jan is a cousin to both Michael and Carlos.
All three suspects remained in the Hall County Jail on Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 25. The crimes remain under investigation by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, and additional charges are possible.
Gainesville, Braselton, and Oakwood Police Departments have filed additional charges in the investigation.
