CUMMING, Ga. -- The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office said five men had conspired to break into a Forsyth County home and steal nearly $1 million in Bitcoin. Their robbery investigation has been ongoing since January, 2018.
On Monday, January 29, the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit responded to a local hotel in connection with what was initially thought to be a drug investigation. Narcotics detectives made contact with four males who had zip ties, latex gloves, duct tape and bandanas in their possession.
Major Crimes Unit detectives also responded to the hotel. Due to a lack of sufficient evidence, the four males were released from custody.
Additional investigation that night linked the four males to a planned robbery of a Forsyth County homeowner. After detectives were able to secure arrest warrants, they moved to arrest the four -- Trivette Adams, Matthew Schwartz, Jacob South and Michael McDermont.
Officers found Adams and McDermont on Tuesday, January 30 near Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, attempting to leave the area by plane. Adams fled from deputies, but was apprehended after a brief foot chase.
South and Schwartz fled metro Atlanta, flying to Chicago before they could be caught by police. The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office sent two Major Crimes Unit detectives to Chicago where they were able to extradite the pair with the assistance of the Chicago Police Department.
A fifth suspect, Justin Ellison of Illinois, was interviewed by detectives in Illinois and arrested following additional investigation on May 11, 2018.
Trivette Adams, 20, of Pflugerville, Tex., has been charged with residential strong arm robbery and criminal trespass; Robert South, 21, of Norcross has been charged with residential strong arm robbery; Matthew Schwartz, 18, of Hesperia, Calif., has been charged with residential strong arm robbery; Michael McDermott, 18, has been charged with residential strong arm robbery and criminal trespass; Justin Ellison, 20, of Worth, Ill., has been charged with residential strong arm robbery and conspiracy to commit a felony.
All five suspects are being held in the Forsyth County Detention Center without bond.
