On Nov. 18, law enforcement was dispatched to 1431 N. Columbia St., in reference to stolen property. Charles Ward was caught on camera parking his white Dodge Ram Truck 1500 on the property. Ward picked up a paint bucket from a trailer left at the rear of the business, placed it in his pickup truck, and left the scene. The paint bucket was estimated to be approximately $250.
According to the report, camera footage was “as clear as day which helped identify Ward from countless call history with him.” The vehicle was also identified from call history with Ward. Later that day, law enforcement arrested Ward. A warrant for theft by taking was taken out against Charles Ward.
Resident returns to ransacked home
On Nov. 20, law enforcement responded to a residence in reference to theft. The victim came home to find the residence ransacked and items missing.
Law enforcement cleared the property and home and found the window in the rear bedroom had been pushed in and was lying on the floor. A pocketbook with personal identification materials inside, a $400 TCL television, a $800 TCL Television, and a child’s social security card were stolen. Law enforcement was unable to pull latent prints from any surface. As of the newspaper’s deadline, no subject had been identified.
Man attempts break-in at Duck Worth Farm
On Nov. 20, an individual reported a possible burglary at Duck Worth Farm, located at 120 N. Elbert St. The complainant reported a white male looking at him through the door of his building, Duck Worth Farm. When he entered the building, he attempted to talk to the male, but he would not reply to him. The male then exited the building and began walking on the road. Items were strewn across the floor as well as buckets. A walkthrough was completed of the building where it was determined the male bent the tin siding of the building to make entry.
Law enforcement found a subject matching the description given at East Montgomery Street and Doles Boulevard. The man, identified as William Adams, stated he did break into the building so he could have somewhere to sleep. Adams was then transported to Baldwin County Jail, where a warrant for criminal trespass was secured against him.
Employee acts in vulgar manor
On Nov. 20, law enforcement was dispatched to Little Fishing Creek Golf Course in reference to an irate male. Thomas Williams, an employee, had arrived to pick up some items and was shown in surveillance footage screaming and yelling as he exited his truck. In the video, Williams was cursing and stated he had purposely 'brake-checked' an individual while driving and swerved over the yellow line due to someone following too closely behind him. The video showed Williams begin to yell at another employee on scene because he could not locate his brand-new gloves. Williams walked back to the complainant, continued yelling, and began crying before getting into his truck and leaving the golf course. Williams' truck was located a short time later at 133 Garrett Way and he was inside it. One warrant for disorderly conduct was later sworn against Thomas Chan Williams.
Man leaves vehicle collision
On Nov. 20 law enforcement responded to a delayed report of a hit and run accident. Fredrick Hurt advised that earlier that morning he discovered damage to his 2024 Honda Ridgeline. The damage was located on the driver-side front door and appeared consistent with being struck by another vehicle. White paint transfer was visible on the damaged area. Hurt stated that on the evening of Nov. 19, he was at 693 Dunlap Rd. and recalled hearing a noise outside the business but did not investigate further at the time. Hurt later reviewed his Ring camera footage and observed the incident. The video begins after the collision had already occurred. In the footage, a white Ford Transit van with ladders mounted on top, blank side panels, and rear glass is seen stopped with its nose facing Hurt's vehicle. An unidentified male enters the driver's seat, backs the van up, and departs the location. The vehicle turned right onto Dunlap Road and into an adjacent parking lot. A vehicle matching the description was captured on Flock camera footage. No other vehicles within a four-hour search window matched the description. Flock images showed damage to the van's front passenger-side, consistent with involvement in the collision. On Nov.
20, the same vehicle was seen on a Flock camera on Hancock Street near Frank Bone Road, traveling east. Contact was made with the driver, identified as Nicasio Garcia. Garcia admitted to operating the van and stated that he had parked in the adjoining lot the previous evening. He claimed the vehicle rolled forward down a hill and struck Hurt's vehicle after he exited. Garcia further stated he attempted to locate the owner but was unsuccessful. However, the Ring footage indicates Garcia made no attempt to contact anyone and left the scene prior to being noticed. Garcia was operating the vehicle without a valid driver's license both at the time of the collision and on the date of contact.
Garcia was placed under arrest for leaving the scene of an accident (hit and run) and driving without a license.