Father, son arrested for pulling gun on parents of new homeowner

By Jay Black, Richard Sangster

COVINGTON —

A father and his son have been arrested for springing guns on a couple who were visiting their son’s new home in Newton County.

The arrests came hours after charges were dropped against the parents of the new home owner who were first booked in the incident last week.

Jean and Angelica Kalonji's son closed on the home Thursday and the whole family was going to move in. The parents went over to change the locks, on the agent’s advice. A couple of the neighbors then showed up with guns drawn.

"(I was) told to put my hands up and to get out, otherwise he shoot us," Jean Kalonji said.

Late Monday night, Newton County Sheriff’s investigators told News/Talk WSB’s Richard Sangster that Robert George Canoles, 45, and his son Branden Ryan Canoles, 18 were arrested and charged with aggravated assault, false imprisonment and criminal trespass. The two turned themselves in Monday night.

The Canoles apparently thought the Kalonjis were breaking into the home and didn't believe they owned it. Neither did the Newton County Sheriff's Office. When deputies arrived, the Kalonjis did not have the closing papers. So they were the ones who went to jail for loitering and prowling.

"For me to get out, we had to pay bond," Kalonji said.

All of the charges were later dropped after investigators found out the Kalonjis owned the home.

"The case is still fluid. We're still investigating the case. And also our Office of Professional Standards, there's an internal investigation as well," Lt. Mark Mitchell of the Newton County Sheriff's Department said.

The Kalonjis are being represented by their friend, and high-powered attorney Don Samuel.

“Nothing went right in this case,” Samuel said. “The police come, they make no legitimate effort to find out the truth of the matter and instead arrest them and throw them into jail.”

The family said the sheriff himself apologized to them. The two deputies have not been put on administrative leave as of Monday night, Lt. Mitchell said.