Father-son duo arrested in multi-county burglary investigation

LAFAYETTE, Ga. (WDEF) —  A father-son duo was arrested Wednesday, January 15, 2025, in connection to a string of burglaries across several counties in Georgia.

On Sunday, January 12, LaFayette Police responded to a burglary at a Dollar Tree in a Walmart shopping center.

Clifton Mitchell / City of Lafayette Police Department

Officers discovered the store’s safe was broken into, with approximately $3,000 stolen.

The hard drive for the store’s surveillance system was also stolen.

Two nearby businesses were also entered, though no items were reported missing.

Further leads connected the LaFayette burglary to a similar incident in Chattooga County.

Another strip mall business was targeted that same night.

Investigators in Chattooga County obtained surveillance footage that revealed the suspects and their vehicle.

The suspects were identified as Clifton Mitchell, and his son Richard Mitchell.

Both were already on probation for prior burglary convictions.

Key evidence came from Clifton Mitchell’s court-mandated ankle monitor.

The ankle monitor tracked his movements to the locations of the LaFayette and Chattooga County burglaries.

Richard Mitchell / City of Lafayette Police Department

GPS data also tied him to other strip mall locations in Rome, Georgia, where additional commercial burglaries were reported.

A search warrant was obtained for the Mitchell’s residence.

The search uncovered tools used in the crimes and clothing matching the surveillance footage.

Both suspects are currently being held at the Walker County Detention Facility.

Both are being charged with second-degree burglary.

Additional charges are expected in Chattooga and Floyd Counties for crimes in those jurisdictions.

They also face charges for violating their probation.