Motorcycle flees police
On Feb. 27, while traveling south on North Columbia Street, an officer observed two motorcycles traveling north. One of the motorcycles had blue lights emanating from under its frame.
As the officer attempted to catch up to the motorcycles, both of them turned right onto Old Williamsburg Road. The driver of the motorcycle with the blue lights accelerated at a high rate of speed on Old Williamsburg Road, traveling towards Carolyn Court. The second motorcycle was traveling in the middle of the roadway, preventing the officer from passing him. This motorcycle eventually stopped on the road. The driver of the second motorcycle was Thomas Blizard.
When asked, Thomas stated that the driver of the other motorcycle was Taylor Blizard and the motorcycle belonged to a friend. Thomas stated that they had been on the way to look at a car. Thomas stated that he did not know why Taylor would have run from law enforcement.
While speaking to Thomas, a deputy advised over the radio that he had seen the other motorcycle on Sinclair Marina Road. When the deputy attempted a traffic stop, the driver sped away on Beaver Road, turned left onto Old Williamsburg Road, and then right onto North Columbia Street towards Putnam County. No vehicle pursuit was initiated with the motorcycle at that time. A GCIC check revealed that Taylor does not have a valid driver's license. The officer secured warrants on Taylor for driving without a license, having blue lights on the motorcycle, and fleeing and misdemeanor attempting to elude an officer.
Underage drinker caught during traffic stop
On Feb. 27, an officer observed a white van pass them on Allen Memorial Drive at an estimated speed greater than the posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour.
The vehicle entered the opposite lane of travel when the driver was attempting to negotiate a curve on Allen Memorial Drive at its intersection with Ivey Drive.
As the driver continued on, he failed to stop for the stop sign at Broad Street and Thomas Field Road. The driver did not attempt to slow down or come to a stop.
As the officer got closer to the vehicle, the driver began slowing down and came to a stop at the intersection of Broad Street and Swint Avenue. The driver, later identified as Cameron Roberson, exited the vehicle and reported the van belonged to his boss. He further stated his boss told him to “hurry back to Milledgeville,” which is why he was driving fast. The officer noted a smell of an unknown alcoholic beverage coming from his person.
They also observed Roberson stumbling while standing outside the vehicle. His boss verified he was allowed to drive the vehicle. After two deputies conducted Standardized Field Sobriety Tests with Roberson, they both advised he appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Roberson agreed to a state administered chemical test of his blood and was transported to Atrium Health Baldwin.
Roberson received citations for driving under the influence, failure to drive in a single lane, and failure to stop for a stop sign.
Unknown men steal from CVS
On March 1, law enforcement was dispatched to CVS Pharmacy, at 423 S.
Wayne St., in reference to shoplifting that had already occurred. The manager stated two black males entered the store Feb. 28 and stole two Simply Tide ($12.49 each for a total of $24.98) and were Gain ($20.49 each for a total of $40.98) bottles, worth a total of $65.96.
Video footage showed both males get into a dark color Dodge Ram extended cab truck and leave the area. As of The Baldwin Bulletin’s deadline, no suspects had been found.
Drunk driver found asleep
On March 2, law enforcement was patrolling the area of K&C Short Stop, at 405 Sparta Hwy., when they observed a vehicle in the parking lot of the gas station while it's closed. There was visible front end damage to the Nissan Altima, as if it had been involved in an accident.
The driver was asleep in the driver's seat and the vehicle's transmission was left in drive. The officer made contact with the driver and banged on the window. The driver, later identified as Michael Nipper, woke up as he opened the driver's side door. The officer reported smelling the odor of an unknown alcoholic beverage coming from within the vehicle and observed dried blood around Nipper's lower lip. Nipper was asked to place the car in park, turn off the car, and hand in the key to the vehicle. Nipper could not find the key and began reaching around inside the vehicle. He continued to search despite commands to stop. The officer instructed Nipper to step out of the vehicle and face the door area. According to the report, “I wanted to place Nipper into cuffs because of the furtive movements he had been making while inside the vehicle. When Nipper stepped out of the vehicle, I saw that he had a large silver knife in his right pants pocket, and he was also attempting to grab something with his right hand.” As Nipper stepped out of the vehicle, he pulled his hands to the front of his body and resisted commands. After some struggle, the officer put some distance between them, drew their taser, and discharged it toward Nipper's back. Nipper fell against the car then to the ground. He hit his face against the car door frame and his forehead against the ground, causing a laceration to his right eyebrow and a laceration to his right lip. Nipper responded to verbal commands as he laid on the ground. Nipper stated he had hit a tree with his vehicle but could not remember where he struck the tree.
Because Nipper had already resisted arrest and had been placed into handcuffs prior to backup’s arrival, an officer determined it was unsafe to perform Standardized Field Sobriety Testing.
Nipper also refused to respond multiple times when asked to submit to the State administered test of his blood, which was determined to be a non-verbal refusal.
Nipper was transported to Atrium Navicent Hospital for treatment. After being cleared by hospital staff, Nipper was escorted back to a patrol vehicle, where officers located a crystal-like substance, suspected to be methamphetamine, near the doorway and in the floorboard.
Warrants for misdemeanor obstruction of an officer, driving under the influence refusal, tampering with evidence, and possession of methamphetamine were secured against Nipper.