Atlanta police arrest suspect linked to nine church and daycare break-ins across the city

Suspect taken into custody after month-long series of break-ins

Atlanta police have arrested a 32-year-old man they say is responsible for a string of burglaries and property-damage incidents targeting churches and daycare facilities across the city. Investigators link the suspect to nine incidents reported between Dec. 5, 2025, and Jan. 6, 2026, a timeframe that included break-ins at multiple faith-based and child-care sites.

The suspect, identified by police as Arkeam McDowell, was taken into custody on Jan. 19 after officers on patrol near Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SW saw a person matching a department-issued lookout description. Police say the suspect ran when he noticed officers, leading to a foot chase. Authorities say he resisted officers before being detained.

How investigators say the case came together

Police say detectives built the case by reviewing surveillance video from multiple locations. Those recordings, investigators say, helped identify a suspect and prompted the distribution of lookouts across the department. The reliance on camera evidence underscores the role of security systems in connecting incidents that occur at different addresses and on different dates.

While police have not publicly detailed what was taken from each location, the investigation is framed as a combination of unlawful entry, theft-related allegations, and damage to property. The pattern described by investigators spans both houses of worship and childcare facilities—two types of properties that often have predictable hours and may be unoccupied overnight.

Charges filed and what they indicate

Police say McDowell faces multiple charges, including eight counts of burglary. Additional charges listed by investigators include interference with government property, theft by deception, theft by receiving stolen property, and obstruction of law enforcement.

• Burglary counts typically indicate alleged unlawful entry with intent to commit a felony or theft inside.

• Theft by receiving stolen property generally alleges possession or control of items believed to be stolen.

• Obstruction allegations often arise from conduct during an arrest or an attempt to evade detention.

Security concerns for churches and childcare facilities

The case has renewed attention on security planning for churches and daycare sites, which can be vulnerable when offices, classrooms, or common areas are left unattended. A church security director in southwest Atlanta said many churches are treated as “soft targets” and emphasized the importance of vigilance and security awareness.

Police have described the investigation as a multi-location case aided by surveillance footage and patrol coordination, culminating in the Jan. 19 arrest.

The investigation remains part of the broader effort to deter repeat property crimes by quickly sharing suspect descriptions and using video evidence to connect incidents across the city.