Gainesville police have arrested five people in connection with a rash of car break-ins in the northwest part of town.

Lt. Brian Kelly said the arrests were made after police received a tip that racing go-karts stolen in the burglary of an Oak Street home were stashed at a Lee Street home near Gainesville High School. Police later found other stolen property, including car stereos, cell phones and credit cards at a Shaw Drive address, Kelly said.

The suspects are charged in connection with eight entering auto cases and the Oak Street burglary.

"We’ve had other burglaries and entering autos in that area, but we just haven’t linked them to these individuals yet," Kelly said. "Just about every jurisdiction is dealing with these crimes of opportunity."

In one instance, 10 cars were entered on Broad Street during a rodeo last month at the Georgia Mountains Center. Other incidents include car break-ins on Oak Street, Washington Street, Rosewood Avenue, James Street, Cardian Street, Tower Commons Road and Gainesville High School. About $12,000 worth of property was stolen during the break-ins, which caused damage estimated at $2,000.

Investigators have recovered "numerous pieces of property" from the suspects and are working on returning them to the victims, Kelly said.

The following people, all of Gainesville were arrested:

• Anthony Glista, 19, charged with burglary.
• Patrick Spaid, 25, charged with one count of burglary, eight counts of entering an auto, four counts of criminal trespass and two counts of theft by taking.
• Zachary Williamson, 20, charged with one count of theft by receiving stolen property.
• Clayborn Beck, 34, charged with one count of theft by receiving stolen property.
• Veronica Macias, 24, charged with one count of theft by receiving stolen property.