Law enforcement officials have arrested two men from Murray County believed to be involved in a burglary that occurred in Summerville. Clifton Mitchell, 66, and his son, Richard Mitchell, 41, were apprehended by LaFayette Police on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, following a collaborative investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies.  Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader said that these are the same two men that local investigators believe were part of a burglary at a Summerville business located in the shopping plaza behind Little Caesar’s Pizza.

The investigation that brought about the arrest of the two men was initiated after a burglary was reported at the Dollar Tree in the Walmart shopping center in LaFayette on January 12, 2025. Officers responded to the scene and discovered that a safe had been broken into, resulting in the theft of approximately $3,000, along with the store’s surveillance system hard drive. Nearby businesses were also entered, although no items were reported stolen from them.

Further investigation revealed that another burglary had occurred on the same night in Chattooga County, involving a business located in a strip mall.

Investigators obtained surveillance footage showing the suspects and their vehicle, which ultimately led to identifying the Mitchells. Both men were already on probation due to previous burglary convictions, raising suspicions further. The LaFayette police were able to corroborate their findings when they reviewed additional footage that placed the suspect vehicle near the Dollar Tree at the time of the break-in. An ankle monitor worn by Clifton Mitchell provided crucial data, confirming his presence at the locations of both burglaries and other commercial thefts in the area.

Following the identification and confirmation of their involvement, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the Mitchells’ residence in Chatsworth, Murray County. Officers discovered burglary tools and clothing worn during the crimes, providing further evidence against the suspects.

Currently, both Clifton and Richard Mitchell are being held at the Walker County Detention Facility, facing charges of Burglary in the 2nd Degree.

Additional charges are anticipated in connection with crimes committed in Chattooga County and Floyd County, along with a Violation of Probation charge.