NORTH FORSYTH — A traffic stop triggered a weeklong investigation that culminated with the arrests of six young people who authorities say are responsible for a recent crime spree in northeastern Forsyth.
Robin Regan, a spokesman for the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, said the suspects, who range in age from 17 to 24, have been charged in connection with four burglaries and a car break-in locally.
They’ve also been charged in connection with an attempted burglary in Dawson County.
“Our detective, through his investigation, was able to link all these people involved to four burglaries — one of them had occurred that night — and an entering auto,” Regan said.
A seventh suspect remains at large, according to Regan.
“We also have active burglary warrants for Nicholas Shaver, 24, and will be attempting to place him in custody,” he said.
All of the suspects are from Forsyth or surrounding counties, although their addresses weren’t immediately available.
The investigation began with a traffic stop in the wee hours Sunday morning.
“[A deputy] was at the corner of Hwy. 369 and Little Mill Road at 4:30 in the morning,” Regan said. “The deputy was keeping an eye out for [a suspicious] vehicle. When he saw it, he made contact with them.”
Two of the suspects — Justin Bridges, 21, and Savannah Driskell, 17 — were in the vehicle.
Regan said the deputy found what appeared to be marijuana and some likely stolen property inside.
“That lead to a further investigation,” he said. “A detective actually came out to the scene and began uncovering a lot more evidence.”
Bridges charged with two counts of theft by receiving stolen property, and one count each of entering auto, conspiracy to commit a felony and possession of marijuana.
Diskell was charged with one count each of theft by receiving stolen property and possession of marijuana.
Following further investigation throughout the week, deputies arrested: Zachary Umberger, 20; Nicholas Porter, 24; Laurel Farris, 23; and Boyd Spencer, 24.
Umberger was charged with conspiracy to commit a felony, and Porter and Farris with burglary in the second degree. Spencer faces a count of criminal damage in the second degree.
Bond has been set in amounts ranging from $2,310 to $20,185 for all of the suspects except Spencer, who hadn’t had a bond hearing as of Friday night.