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No bail for 4 in manhunt
One suspect linked to 'blue jeans' caper
no bail
Suspects arrested after a chase and manhunt that covered an area between Keith Bridge and Pilgrim Mill Roads are being held without bond. - photo by Jim Dean
Authorities say they believe at least one suspect arrested after Tuesday's botched burglary at the Dawsonville outlet mall was involved in a similar burglary in Buckhead, during which a female employee was assaulted.
Deyancious Lewis, 17, of Decatur was one of three burglary suspects denied bail Thursday morning by Dawson County Associate Magistrate Judge Lisa Thurmond.
The three, as well as two other men and a woman, were captured over several hours Tuesday following a manhunt in northern Forsyth County that included helicopters and bloodhounds.
Lewis faces many charges, including one count each of conspiracy to commit burglary, second degree conspiracy to commit criminal damage and conspiracy to commit theft by taking.
He also has been charged with party to a crime of fleeing and attempting to elude officers, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and theft by receiving stolen property. He also faces one count of giving a false name.
Lewis originally told authorities his name was Deyancious Clemons and listed his date of birth as Nov. 11, 1991, which would have made him a minor.
He was initially transferred to the regional youth detention center, along with a juvenile suspect believed to have driven the van used in the incident. Lewis was released back to Dawson County custody Wednesday night.
Tuesday morning's incident marks the second time in less than a month that bandits have targeted the Saks 5th Avenue at the North Georgia Premium Outlet Mall. In mid-May, more than $10,000 in designer blue jeans was taken in an early morning smash and grab.
Atlanta Police Department Detective Rick Anderson, part of a task force set up last year to investigate a string of high-end clothing thefts, was in court and prepared to link Lewis to the similar crime in Buckhead.
Citing the suspects' extensive criminal backgrounds and the intensity of the case, Northeastern Judicial Circuit Assistant District Attorney John Wilbanks asked that bail be denied for Lewis and his alleged co-conspirators.
Wilbanks also noted that Dawson County may file additional charges, which could include violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and gang law.
The prosecutor's comment on gangs triggered an outburst from 19-year-old suspect Jermichael Jerod Lockette, who was removed from the courtroom after saying his skin color did not make him a gang member. All six suspects charged in the case are black and from the metro Atlanta area.
Lockette, who also gave authorities a false name and date of birth when arrested, faces the same charges as Clemons, as does 25-year-old Michael Johnson of Atlanta.
Bond was set at $20,000 for Abby Holland, 26, of Norcross and 48-year-old Atlantan James Burson, who each face charges of conspiracy to commit burglary, second degree conspiracy to commit criminal damage and conspiracy to commit theft by taking.
Following the suspects' first appearance hearings, a warrant was issued for Demarcus Allen, who is believed to have driven the van during the heist on Tuesday, and told authorities he was 16 when he was arrested.
"He made comments in juvenile court that led authorities to believe he is not a juvenile, and we have a warrant for his arrest," said Dawson County Sheriff's Lt. Tony Wooten.
The crew was apprehended throughout the day Tuesday, after authorities say they backed up a stolen silver Dodge van to Saks.
A security guard reported the suspicious activity, which drew two Dawson sheriff's deputies to the mall.
A chase down Ga. 400 followed. The suspects ran from the van after wrecking just north of Pilgrim Mill Road.