By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Cameras capture burglars in raid at medical clinics
1213BURGLARY1
Here is a photo of one of the suspects that burglarized a medical clinic in Braselton.

Four young men who ransacked a pair of Braselton medical clinics this week were caught on tape.

Now, the owner just hopes they get caught.

A crew of burglars looking for drugs conducted "smash-and-grab" raids on Braselton’s two Guilford Clinic locations within a span of three hours late Wednesday and early Thursday.

Police are studying some crystal-clear surveillance video of one of the burglaries with hopes of making arrests soon.

"The quality of the images is very good," Braselton Police Sgt. J.D. Gille said. "We are following some leads based on the video footage."

Guilford Clinic owner Dr. Ayham Haddad had the four cameras installed shortly after a similar burglary at the Spout Springs office four months ago, when prescription narcotics were taken.

Haddad believes the same culprits may be behind this week’s back-to-back break-ins.

"Apparently they are teenagers who know something about this facility," Haddad said.

"I think it’s mainly a drug issue because they’re very persistent, and they were bold enough to break in again."

Gille said Wednesday’s first burglary occurred shortly before 11 p.m. at 7367 Spout Springs Road, where the clinic’s front door glass was broken out and flat-screen monitors were taken.

The next burglary happened at about 1:30 a.m. Thursday, when drugs and computer equipment were taken from the clinic at 5796 Old Winder Highway. The burglars were in and out within about five minutes at both locations.

In the Spout Springs burglary that was caught on tape, they appear to break out the glass with a tire iron, lug out a pair of monitors and fill a trash can with pilfered items.

Haddad said he opted for a video surveillance system over a burglar alarm because there was no guarantee a response to an alarm would be quick enough.

"The camera seems more effective," he said, adding he was now considering adding burglar alarms to the clinics.

Gille said the burglars appeared to have been driving an early 2000s red Ford Focus.

Anyone who recognizes the suspects or has any information about the case is asked to call Braselton Police at 706-658-2852.