Cigarette Thieves Smoked Out by Cherokee Sheriff's Office

The plans of three cigarette thieves to sell their ill-gotten gains were snuffed out by Cherokee County sheriff's deputies on Wednesday morning on Highway 92.

The three men, Vincent Donehue of Jonesboro, James Hill of Snellville and Mark McCain of Atlanta, are suspected of stealing large quantities of cigarettes from convenience stores in five counties, the Cherokee Tribune reported.

Cherokee County authorities worked hand in hand with colleagues from Henry, Cobb, Douglas and Rockdale counties to bring the trio to justice.

“At approximately 2:45 a.m., a Cherokee sheriff’s deputy pulled the vehicle over,” Lt. Jay Baker of the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office said to the Tribune. “Inside the vehicle investigators located plastic bins, a hammer, rubber gloves, masks and a sledge hammer.”

The plastic bins were used for storing the stolen cigarettes. Deputies also found a small amount of heroin in the vehicle, Baker said.

The three men are currently being held at the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center.