Athens gangster arrested when caught stealing tequila and cigars

Vantrec Arnell Ballard

By Joe Johnson

Vantrec Ballard, a 30-year-old convicted gang member, was arrested the evening of June 5th after he was caught shoplifting at an eastside liquor store.

A police officer reported that he was at QuikTrip on Lexington Road when he heard the sound of people shouting from around the corner.

The officer went to investigate and found a man lying on his back in the parking lot outside of Cork & Bottle, holding onto Ballard, who was standing over him.

Turned out the man had been inside the liquor store and intervened when he witnessed Ballard stealing.

According to a police report, the man watched as the cashier rang up and bagged items for Ballard, which included a bottle of Jose Cuervo tequila, Swisher Sweets cigars and Newport cigarettes.

When Ballard left the store without paying, the man tried to detain him by grabbing his wrists in the parking lot and he fell while struggling with Ballard.

The police officer arrested Ballard, and when searching him he found methamphetamine and fentanyl., which he tried to destroy while resisting arrest.

Ballard was charged with theft by shoplifting, possession of methamphetamine, possession of fentanyl, tampering with evidence, obstruction of law enforcement, and also with a felony probation violation.

Court records show that in 2016 Ballard was a member of the Bloods who was convicted of violating the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.

He is being held without bail in pretrial detention.