Officer Awarded in Pedophile Sting

A month ago, Alpharetta police arrested, in conjunction with the FBI, an alleged pedophile who had travelled from Canada with the intention of having sex with a young girl who was instead an online undercover Alpharetta police officer.

Last Tuesday, the police officers responsible for that action were recognized by both the FBI and their superiors on the Alpharetta force.

Detective John Robison, of the Safe Child Taskforces, was commended by Gregory Jones, special agent in charge for the FBI Atlanta field office, for his part in the arrest.

From Left to Right: Alpharetta Mayor Arthur Letchas, Director of Public Safety Gary D. George, Atlanta FBI special agent in charge Gregory Jones, Alpharetta Dept. of Public Safety Detective John Robison. (SPECIAL)

Alpharetta Director of Public Safety Gary George remarked, “This arrest shows how important it is for the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety to assign selected officers to a specialized task force. I commend the FBI for the Safe Child Program and our officers for their outstanding work.”

“This is a continuation of their [Alpharetta Police] positive service to the community … we’re quite happy with the work that they’ve done and will continue to do,” said Howard Hatfield, the assistant special agent in charge of Criminal and Cyber Crimes of Georgia for the FBI Atlanta field office..

Also awarded for their part in the operation were Sergeant Shawn Woods, Detective Dave Tobias and Detective Hal Shaffet.          

High Speed Chase

It was the sound of a loud thumping that first alerted police to Andres Martinez-Candido, 25, of Alpharetta.

Martinez-Candido was driving on Highway 9 early on the morning of September 16 with a flat tire. The noise was what brought Martinez-Candido to the attention of an officer in the middle of a traffic stop. The officer abandoned the traffic stop and followed the car with the flat tire, which was observed to be weaving in and out of its lane while speeding. Smoke and pieces of rubber were coming from the torn tire as the car increased its speed.

The officer then activated his siren which had no effect on Martinez-Candido, who only sped up. After a brief chase, the flat tire came off and sparks began to light up the road.

Turning from Highway 9 onto Webb Road, Martinez-Candido increased his speed dramatically, which also increased his lack of control of the vehicle. He sped through a red light and then crashed while trying to turn onto Morris Road. He then tried to escape on foot from police who had patiently followed the car.

Then the dog was released.

Chicko, a police dog, apprehended the suspect via a bite to the knee, and Martinez-Candido was placed under arrest.    

Martinez-Candido was arrested September 16 on Windward Parkway for driving without a license, failure to maintain his lane, running a red light, failure to stop at a stop sign, driving on improper tires, reckless driving, DUI, fleeing and attempting to elude police and obstructing police. 

DUI Arrests

Stacey Diane Payton, 30, of Milton, was arrested September 9 on Morris Road for failure to maintain her lane, speeding and DUI.

Tyler W. Burton, 25, of Milton, was arrested September 16 on Highway 9 for not having working brake lights or turning signals, not having an up-to-date license, DUI, and possession of marijuana.

Lauren Ballow Matthews, 21, of Woodstock, was arrested September 10 on Arnold Mill Road for DUI.

Matthew Joseph Petino, 20, of Roswell, was arrested September 9 on Arnold Mill Road for failure to maintain his lane, possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and DUI. 

Drug Arrests

Brett M. Needham, 24, of Milton, was arrested September 16 on Highway 9 for possession of marijuana.

Adam Scott Kriske, 19, of Roswell, was arrested September 9 on Arnold Mill Road for possession of marijuana.

Gregory Charles Holden, 22, of Alpharetta, was arrested September 9 on Sandringham Drive for possession of marijuana.