The property crimes unit of the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office has been honored for its work in solving one of the largest jewelry heists in the state’s history.

Atlanta Metropol Awards Chairman Samuel Patterson, chief of the Riverdale Police Department, recently presented the organization’s Law Enforcement Award to Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Franco, Sgt. Scotty Spriggs and Investigator Travis Spriggs.

The honor was a result of the unit’s work in the Sept. 25 heist at Milano Fine Jewelry on Buford Highway.

“This unit not only solved the case and recovered over $300,000 in stolen jewelry, but their actions resulted in the arrest of 11 suspects involved in multiple thefts around the state and nation,” Patterson said. “Because of these investigators’ diligence and hard work, several other law enforcement agencies were able to solve similar cases.”

Atlanta Metropol consists of more than 200 members and works to increase cooperation between local law enforcement agencies, to provide more and better training and to improve communication systems between those agencies.

“It is an honor to have the work of our investigators recognized by the law enforcement command staff and private security professionals in Metropol,” said Sheriff Ted Paxton. “I am very proud of this unit’s work and commitment to solving crimes in Forsyth County. They consistently go above and beyond, which results in Forsyth County being one of the safest communities in the metro area.”