Law enforcement officers in Cobb County recently encountered an unusual situation while executing warrants at a residence.
Ceiling Concealment Attempt
During an operation to remove an individual from a home under a temporary protective order, deputies discovered the suspect had concealed himself within the ceiling structure of a garage.
Col. Ryan Mehling of the Cobb County Sheriff's Office explained the circumstances: "They were there to remove the individual from the home since it was a (temporary protective order)."
The individual in question had violated a court order requiring him to stay away from his spouse and faced additional outstanding warrants.
Drone Surveillance and Discovery
When initial attempts to contact those inside the residence received no response, authorities deployed aerial surveillance technology.
"This drone provides a live feed to our operator so we can see the layout of the home and any potential dangers that are in the home before out," Mehling stated regarding their tactical approach.
After the drone failed to detect any occupants, the team entered the premises. Officers at the front of the formation carried ballistic shields for protection.
"One of the members of the team noticed a fresh boot mark on the side of the wall and looked up to see a freshly cut hole in the ceiling," Mehling described the moment of discovery.
The suspect was subsequently extracted from his hiding place.
Additional Legal Matters
Mehling provided further details about the suspect's legal status: "He also had a failure to appear warrant out of Doraville and a misdemeanor probation warrant out of Cobb County."
According to investigators, this case represents a common pattern where individuals facing arrest attempt unconventional concealment.
The sheriff's domestic violence unit, consisting of four investigators, handles numerous protective order cases annually, having received over 3,000 temporary protective orders and removed more than 100 individuals from homes they were legally prohibited from entering.
