Work-Release Inmate Arrested for Burglary at North Gwinnett Co-Operative

Lavan Hickman, a 38-year-old Clarkston resident serving a work-release sentence for burglary convictions, was arrested for breaking into the North Gwinnett Co-Operative's thrift store on August 19. Surveillance footage captured Hickman forcing entry through a window around 6:30 a.m., stealing over $800 in cash, which was intended to help families in need. Police determined that Hickman left the correctional facility on work release prior to committing the burglary, leading to new charges of burglary and second-degree criminal damage to property. The nonprofit, which has served struggling families in Buford and surrounding areas for over 30 years, temporarily closed but has since reopened, with volunteers helping to recover from the incident. Executive Director Kim Phillips expressed heartbreak over the theft, emphasizing that the stolen funds were meant to support vulnerable community members, and noted her hope that Hickman finds stability. Despite the setback, the organization remains committed to its mission of aiding families in crisis.