Black Truck-Thief Charged in Connection with Home-Invasion and Murder of White Man

Gwinnett Daily Post
December 15, 2014

web1_Brian_Whitfield_t180
The dead body of Brian Whitfield was found on the driveway of his home.

A Griffin man was booked in the Gwinnett County jail on Friday and charged in connection with a homicide in Auburn last week.

Marquavis Benton, 26, was charged with armed robbery, murder and held for other charges out of Spaulding County and held without bond.

Brian Whitfield, 45, was killed Dec. 6 during a believed home invasion-robbery at his home on Flowery Branch Road in Auburn. Gwinnett police previously said a 2005 Dodge Ram “Rumblebee” edition was stolen after the home invasion.

web1_Marquavis_Benton_t300
Marquavis Benton has been charged with the home invasion and murder.

Gwinnett Police Sgt. Rich Long said Saturday that Griffin City Police, who stopped Benton’s car and detained him without incident at about 4 p.m. on Friday, was helpful to homicide investigators, and added that the investigation remains open.

On Wednesday, police said the truck, which has a yellow stripe and unique graphics near its rear bumper, had been discovered overnight in western Atlanta. The vehicle was partially stripped of its radio and tires.

Long said investigators did not release if any evidence collected from the abandoned stolen truck was useful to arrest Benton.