A recent rash of local home burglaries has led to the arrest of six suspects, with two others being sought on warrants, all linked to an alleged burglary ring spanning several counties in Georgia and North Carolina.

“We have six people in custody and warrants for two more,” Sheriff Phil Miller told a Wednesday afternoon news conference. “We believe at least one or more have gang affiliation, with United Blood Nation. They’ve been burglarizing homes in two states for the past 8-10 months.”

Miller said the arrests and confiscation of about $250,000 worth of stolen goods was the result of efforts by several law enforcement agencies, including Douglas County’s Sheriff’s Office, Douglasville Police, Atlanta Police, Gastonia, N.C. Police, Charlotte, N.C. Police and the Fulton County Burglary Task Force.

Miller held the 2 p.m. press conference is a training building room filled with tables of confiscated stolen goods, including flat screen televisions, jewelry, guns, laptop computers, video games and other personal property.

“We’ve also been told that the FBI is looking at these suspects because of possible gang affiliation,” Miller said.

“We’re proud of all our agencies coming together to put bad folks behind bars,” Douglasville Police Chief Chris Womack said. “We want to remind the public to be on the lookout for things that don’t appear right.”

Womack noted that tips from the burglary victims and neighbors led to the initial arrests in the crimes.

The first three suspects were arrested in late June after evidence reportedly linked them to Douglas County burglaries. They are listed as Clifford M. Foster, 42; Phillip R. Osborne, 31; and Tavero D. Woods, 31, all of Atlanta.

Three additional suspects have been arrested in North Carolina. They are Reginald Deshaun Tate, 23, Gastonia; Antonio V. Smith, 21, Gastonia; and an unnamed 15-year-old juvenile male of Atlanta.

Arrest warrants have been issued for Reginald Rodrigues Tate, 23, Gastonia, and Lamanuel T. Wynn, 23, Charlotte.

Miller said the suspects have been charged with violation of the RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) Act, in addition to burglary charges.

He said the burglary spree began on June 24 with three burglaries reported on Post Road and another in the city of Douglasville on Orchard Drive.

“We were able to obtain a description of the suspects’ vehicle and a tag number from witness reports,” Miller said. “We also lifted a fingerprint in one of the Post Road burglaries that gave us a suspect identification.”

This information led officers to an Atlanta address where the first three suspects were arrested. Further investigation and questioning of these suspects led officers to Gastonia and Charlotte, N.C., he added.

Miller said investigation is continuing, and he expects the burglary spree to involve at least 50 break-ins committed in the past 10 months. He said additional arrests are expected.

Anyone having information about any of the burglaries can call Lt. Jamie Harrell, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, 770-920-4901, or the city of Douglasville Tip Line, 770-920-3010.