TPD looking for Toccoa man who allegedly stole a woman’s wallet

A Toccoa man is wanted by the Toccoa Police for allegedly stealing a woman’s wallet.

According to Toccoa Police Chief Jimmy Mize, on May 9, officers responded to a theft call at the American Eagle on Broad and Currahee Street, where they met with a victim who said a man had taken her wallet from her purse inside the business.

The victim had been in the game room talking to a man sitting next to her when she felt the suspect behind her, who was also talking to the man next to her.

When she turned to look, he had her change purse in his hand.

According to Mize, when the victim confronted the suspect there was a tussle and her wallet fell from his pants leg along with a steak knife. The suspect told the victim to “back up.”

The suspect then ran up Currahee Street towards Toccoa Tire. The man the victim had spoken with earlier ran up the street behind the suspect; but did not return.

Officers found the man that was talking to the victim and questioned him at length; however, he would not cooperate with them or tell them the name of the suspect.

After reviewing video and providing a picture lineup, the victim identified the suspect as 42-year-old Toccoa resident Gerry Thornton.

He was not found at the time of the incident.

In addition to a warrant for Robbery by Sudden Snatching, Thornton also has a felony probation warrant out of Stephens County and a misdemeanor probation warrant through the Toccoa Police Department.