Johnathan Randall Neal was in custody within eight hours after he is accused of breaking into the Blue Ridge Coin Shop, and days later was charged with that burglary and another in early 2024.
Fannin County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Dustin Carder charged Neal, 25, of 803 Mineral Springs Road, Blue Ridge, with Smash and Grab Burglary, a felony, in connection with the coin shop break in just south of Blue Ridge off Highway 515.
After further investigation, sheriff’s office Investigator Erin Sehl charged Neal with Smash and Grab Burglary in connection with a break in at Riverstone Pharmacy.
Carder said at about 2:30 a.m. Saturday, February 5, Neal is accused of kicking open the door at Blue Ridge Coin Shop, taking coins from two display cases, and leaving. Carder estimated he was in and out of the coin shop within two minutes.
The next morning, before 10:30 a.m., Neal attempted to sell some of the stolen coins at Coins and More in Peachtree Corners.
However, the owner of the Blue Ridge shop had sent information to other coin shops about the theft. The owner of the Peachtree Corners location recognized one of the coins in Neal’s possession. He called the victim, who called Carder, and the Gwinnett Police Department was called.
Officers responded and took Neal into custody. Carder said he faces charges of Theft by Receiving and Theft by Conversion in Gwinnett County.
Neal was released and turned over to Fannin County authorities later in the week.
Carder said the majority of the stolen coins, about $7,600 worth, have been recovered.
As a result of the investigation, Neal is charged with smashing through the front glass door of Riverstone Pharmacy between 3 a.m. and 6:07 a.m. March 23, 2024, with the intent to steal prescription medication.
Neal was being held without bond in the Fannin County Jail last week.