On July 30, law enforcement received a call from dispatch regarding a possible stolen vehicle at Murphy USA, located at 1586 N. Columbia St. An officer noticed the vehicle, a 2024 Chevy Equinox, sitting at a gas pump. With prior knowledge of the vehicle’s description and location, the officer parked in front of the vehicle and blocked it from leaving. The driver of the vehicle, Lorionna Harrell, was swiftly taken into custody. Harrell stated she rented the car on approximately June 16 and was on her way to drop off her belongings and return the vehicle. Harrell could not give a definite location of where she was taking the vehicle. The owner was informed the vehicle had been recovered. The vehicle was recovered by County Line Towing, and a hold was placed on it for Raleigh Airport PD. Harrell was then transported to the Baldwin County Law Enforcement Center and a warrant for theft by conversion was taken out against her.
Reported car returned; thief on the run
On July 30, law enforcement was dispatched to 138 Swint Ave. in reference to a stolen vehicle. The victim stated he was at that address for work and left his keys inside of his 2007 Dodge Dakota with the doors unlocked in the driveway. The victim stated the last time he knew his vehicle was in the driveway was on July 29. Dispatch advised that the victim’s vehicle alerted the Lake Laurel and Sparta Highway Flock camera traveling east. Deputies searched the area, but did not locate the vehicle. Later that day, the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Milledgeville Police Department in a pursuit of the vehicle. The driver eventually turned left into the driveway of 166 S. Edwards St. and the vehicle came to a stop in the parking lot. The male driver exited the vehicle and fled the area on foot toward the back of the property. Officers chased the male on foot, but lost sight of the male in the thick brush. The owner of the vehicle was contacted and the vehicle was turned over to him.
Officers catch hidden criminal
On July 31, the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office responded to 202 Youngblood Rd. to serve an arrest warrant on Arthur Vasser. As an officer knocked on the front door, people could be heard inside. Vasser attempted to climb out one of the residence’s rear windows and was arrested. During a search, officers located a small bag containing a crystal-like substance on Vasser’s person. Vasser stated the substance was methamphetamine for personal use. After Vasser was secured, the officers returned to the front door and continued knocking.
After knocking more forcefully, the door opened slightly. Through the opening, an officer observed a black couch with drug paraphernalia on the cushion. The room appeared to be in disarray and did not look as if it was occupied full-time.
Due to the unsecured door and Vasser’s attempt to flee, officers conducted a protective sweep of the residence. After announcing “Sheriff’s Office, come out,” officers received no response. As they entered and continued issuing verbal commands, they remained unanswered. In the bedroom at the end of the hall, they located Kiko Harden. A GCIC check revealed Harrison had an outstanding warrant out of Putnam County. Harrison was transported to the Putnam County line and released to the custody of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.
Vasser was turned over to jail staff without incident. Vasser was charged with possession of methamphetamine and booked for the three outstanding arrest warrants.
Drunk driver arrested at accident site
On Aug. 1, law enforcement was dispatched to 633 Sparta Hwy in reference to a vehicle accident. The complainant, later identified as Jelesi Reese, told dispatch that she did not know what her vehicle had struck. Her gray 2021 Honda Accord had substantial damage on all sides. The vehicle was located beside a large culvert. Officers observed that the vehicle had left the roadway approximately 50 yards west of where the car was sitting, struck a small culvert, and struck a large culvert landing just above the culvert. Reese first stated that she swerved to miss a deer, and later stated that she was not sure what happened. While speaking with Reese, an officer could smell the odor of an unknown alcoholic beverage coming from her person. Reese was swaying back and forth, and was unable to maintain her balance. Reese stated that she had not consumed any alcohol prior to driving but later stated she had two lemon drop drinks while she was in downtown Milledgeville. Reese stated that she would not perform roadside maneuvers or provide a breath sample. Based on the accident that had occurred, Reese’s inability to explain how the accident occurred, her inability to maintain her balance, and the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from her person, the officer believed her to be under the influence of alcohol and unable to operate a motor vehicle safely. Reese was placed under arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol and failure to maintain a lane. Reese consented to a state-administered chemical test of her blood. Reese was transported to Navicent Baldwin Hospital to have qualified medical personnel complete the test. While in the treatment room Reese began making voluntary statements without being questioned. Reese stated she had been drinking but she wasn’t drunk. Reese was cited for driving under the influence and failure to maintain lane.
Trio caught underage drinking and with marijuana
On Aug. 2, while patrolling the area of Elbert Street, law enforcement observed a white Ford F-150 traveling south on Elbert Street blaring audio able to be heard from more than 100 ft. The driver and back seat passenger were also unrestrained. The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop but was unable to get turned around in the traffic. A search of the area was conducted and the officer located the vehicle at the dead end of Franklin Street near South Warren Street. The driver of the vehicle was attempting to turn around as if they were unaware the street dead ended. Based on prior experience, the officer determined they had attempted to get away from a traffic stop. The driver, identified as Jackson Pope, stated he was “just riding around waiting for a friend to call,” according to the report. The officer detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from within the vehicle and Pope was asked to step out of the vehicle for further investigation. Pope consented to a breath test and it was positive for alcohol but under the legal limit. The front passenger was identified as Tristan Ward and the back passenger was identified as Connor Parker. While a lieutenant spoke with the passengers, they detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed several open containers of alcohol and a plastic bag of suspected marijuana. Parker and Ward were determined to be 18 years old and visibly under the influence. No one claimed to own the marijuana. All three subjects were taken into custody and warrants were secured for possession of marijuana less than one ounce.