Off-Duty Officer Nets Car Break-In Suspect

An off-duty Brookhaven police officer is being credited with arresting an armed convicted felon suspected in a string of car break-ins in the city.

Jamarl Kelley, 25, is being held in the DeKalb County Jail on charges of theft of stolen property and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

He also is a person of interest in numerous entering automobile cases throughout Brookhaven.

The police department credits Officer Usman Latif for making the arrest.

Latif was on his way home from work early Monday when two residents flagged him down. The residents told the off-duty officer they spotted a suspicious person on a bicycle who was entering residents’ yards and driveways in the neighborhood near Chamblee Dunwoody Road and Nancy Creek Drive. Usman then searched the area, found Kelley and summoned backup after learning the suspect was wanted by the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles for violating his parole.

Officers searched the suspect’s bicycle bag and found a .357-caliber revolver and numerous stolen items, including cell phones, iPods, cameras and sunglasses. Several of the items match descriptions of belongings recently reported as stolen from vehicles in Brookhaven.

The investigation is ongoing and detectives anticipate filing additional charges. Police encourage residents to report all break-ins and stolen property, even if they do not have a serial number.

Latif will be honored with a letter of commendation Tuesday at the Brookhaven City Council meeting at 7 p.m.

“Officer Latif demonstrated a high level of professionalism and dedication to duty,” Lt. Juan Grullon said. “His work reflects upon the Brookhaven Police Department and his actions will prevent this suspect from being a further threat to the Brookhaven community.”

This report was prepared by the city and edited for publication.