Felon caught with narcotics
On Dec. 31, while patrolling the area of Swint Avenue and Broad Street, an officer observed a white van, whose driver was not wearing a seat belt.
The vehicle stopped at the intersection and the driver was identified as Matthew Dixon. The vehicle's registration was suspended and was not covered by a valid insurance policy. Dixon claimed he had insurance through 'fleet,' but could not provide proof. I advised him that fleet insurance does not apply to privately owned vehicles. While Dixon searched for paperwork, the officer observed numerous items inside the vehicle and had him step out for safety. Dixon gave the officer permission to search the vehicle since inventory would be taken after it is towed. During a search of the vehicle, the officer located several narcotics, including 33 individually wrapped Shruumz, THC gummies, a crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine, a green leafy substance suspected to be marijuana, and multiple glass pipes commonly used to ingest narcotics. They also located a .45 caliber Sig Sauer P220 handgun with a red-painted grip inside a book bag in the passenger seat. The suspected methamphetamine was found in a glasses case on the dashboard, and the suspected marijuana was located in the driver’s seat. The marijuana and glass pipes were destroyed on the roadside.
Dixon was confirmed to be a convicted felon and stated the items did not belong to him. Warrants for possession of a firearm by convicted felon, possession of a firearm during commission of a crime, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance I with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance II. Dixon was also issued citations for driving while registration is suspended and no insurance.
Customer pays with counterfeit $100
On Dec. 31, law enforcement responded to Pierce's Liquor Store, at 567 Gordon Hwy, in reference to a customer paying for items using fake money. A customer used a counterfeit $100 bill to purchase a four pack of Budlight, two Beatbox, and one Smirnoff Smash for $18.86. The customer then used the change given back, which was $81.14, to make a second purchase of one Lunazul Tequila for $37.79. An employee provided camera footage of the customer's red Honda Civic in the parking lot.
Using the Flock system and verification by the employee, the customer was identified as Tangie Rease. Over the phone, Rease stated she had been at the liquor store, but did not know the $100 bill was fake. A warrant for forgery in the first degree was secured for Rease.
Shoplifter still wanted
On Dec. 31, law enforcement responded to Jet Food Store, 1111 S.
Wayne St., in reference to a possible theft which had already occurred.
Preston Prescott entered the location, gathered two Nestle ice cream bars, and concealed it in the right rear pocket of his pants before exiting the location without paying. Prescott left in a silver in color Nissan sedan prior and the total dollar amount taken was approximately $5.38.
The manager wished to pursue charges and trespass the Prescott.
Man flees police during traffic stop
On Jan. 1, while patrolling the area of Vinson Highway and Scott Hill Street, an officer observed a silver Ford Taurus exit the parking lot of Johnny McDade Grocery without a tag displayed. The vehicle stopped at the intersection of Vinson Highway and Barnes Avenue then turned onto Barnes Avenue. It accelerated and passed another vehicle before running the stop sign at Barnes Avenue and South Elbert Street.
The driver turned left into the Milledgeville Manor apartment complex and came to a stop at the entrance of the complex.
The driver, identified as Marqius Williams, stated he was just trying to make it home to the mother of his child. There was an open beer bottle in the center console and a rolled marijuana cigarette on the passenger seat in plain view. The marijuana was destroyed on the roadside and the beer bottle was discarded. Williams was charged with fleeing and attempting to elude and driving an unregistered vehicle.
Fight breaks out in McDonalds
On Jan. 4, law enforcement was dispatched to McDonalds, at 611 S. Wayne St., in regard to a fight that occurred between coworkers.
Joab Allen stated he was trying to break up a verbal dispute that had happened between Tykeia Thurman and another female employee. Allen stated during the incident the female coworker had called her boyfriend Marcus Mason to come help her. While trying to separate Tykeia and the other female coworker, Mason pushed him. Allen stated he defended himself by throwing punches but was unable to land any strikes upon Mason.
Mason had scratched him in the face multiple times leaving significant marks and bit him on the left side of his chest leaving teeth indention marks with blood. Thurman stated Mason was the aggressor in the fight and Allen was only defending himself.
Mason stated that he was trying to break up the verbal dispute between his girlfriend and Thurman.
Thurman provided a witness statement, but Allen denied doing so.
Mason was issued a citation for disorderly conduct.