Acworth Police Officer Recognized for Apprehending Theft Suspect

Photo Credit: Acworth Police Department

An officer with the Acworth Police Department has been recognized for his efforts to capture a fraud suspect, an arrest which led to the discovery of a cache of stolen goods.

Officer Nicholas Burleson was named the department’s Officer of the Quarter for his efforts to apprehend a fraud suspect in Acworth. Burleson responded to a report of a woman fraudulently using a credit card at the Acworth Publix, and was able to track down and arrest the suspect in a nearby store on Aug. 16.

After Burleson arrested the woman, identified as Elizabeth Marie Cross of Dallas, he determined that Cross was responsible for a burglary of a 78-year-old woman’s home in Cherokee County earlier that same day. Further investigation led to the discovery of a stolen car, two stolen weapons, and bags full of stolen items, all of which were returned to their rightful owner the same day.

Cobb County jail records indicate that Cross was charged with felony theft by taking, felony financial transaction card fraud, misdemeanor carrying a concealed weapon, and felony possession of a firearm by a first time felony offender.

She was released into the custody of the Georgia Department of Corrections on Nov. 5 and is currently serving a one year sentence for these offenses at Arrendale State Prison.