The Dalton Police Department has charged 37-year-old London Harris of Smyrna, Ga., with felony theft in connection with a November incident in which he stole rare coins valued at approximately $37,000 from a Dalton store. Harris was arrested in late December by the DeKalb County Police Department which contacted Dalton investigators.
The theft happened on Nov. 17, at Dalton Stamp and Coin at 110 West Waugh Street.
A suspect identified as Mr. Harris came in to the store and began asking the owner about rare coins. The owner showed the suspect between 70 and 80 coins in a box. During the discussion, the suspect distracted the owner by asking to see something under the counter and concealed the box of coins under his jacket. The suspect then told the store owner that he had to go back to his car to get his credit card to make his purchase.
On Nov. 25, surveillance images of the incident and also a similar crime from Fort Oglethorpe were released online and to media outlets in across the region. Investigators from other agencies recognized the suspect and contacted DPD Detective Jason Thompson to report the same suspect had pulled similar thefts from collectors in their areas. At this time, Dalton investigators have determined that Harris is suspected of thefts in at least six jurisdictions in Georgia and also has a warrant for his arrest in Ohio where he lived before moving to Georgia.
On Dec. 26, Detective Thompson was notified by DeKalb County Police that Harris had been arrested at the North Lake Mall. A store owner there recognized him as a suspect in a previous theft and contacted police. Harris was booked into the Whitfield County Jail on Jan. 13, on a Dalton Police Department warrant for felony theft.