Walmart shoplifter escapes into the woods
On May 9, law enforcement was dispatched to Walmart in reference to a theft that had already occurred. An employee reported to Asset Protection that, on the night of May 8, a young male was seen taking merchandise and throwing it over the fence. The male entered the store after being observed by a vendor truck driver and employee. The male exited the store on the grocery exit, gathered the items, and ran south across the road to the woods. Video surveillance confirmed the employee’s report. As of The Baldwin Bulletin’s deadline, there is no further information.
Items stolen from construction site on Pritchard Street
On May 11, law enforcement was dispatched to Pritchard Street in reference to a burglary at a company construction site. An employee reported noticing copper wiring had been cut and reported three rolls of copper wiring were no longer on the third floor of the building. The employee reported missing a 6/3 250 foot roll of copper wiring valued at $800 and two rolls of 12/2 250 foot rolls of copper wiring valued at $200 each. Reportedly, other items have been stolen from the property since construction began. The last employee on-site advised they did not see anyone on the site before leaving. No cameras are on the site.
Unknown subjects steal PlayStation
On May 13, law enforcement was dispatched to Frazier Drive in reference to a burglary. The complainant stated that her son’s PlayStation 5 was stolen from their residence. According to the son, the PlayStation 5 was on his desk in his room and an unknown subject made entry through their back door and stole the gaming system. The PlayStation 5 is approximately $600. Video footage from a nearby residence determined that two male subjects made entry through the front door rather than back door. A male in a white shirt could be seen carrying the PlayStation 5 out of the house. The footage did not give a clear image of the male or the type of vehicle they were driving. As of The Baldwin Bulletin’s deadline, there is no further information.
Money stolen from Lake Oconee Rental
On May 13 law enforcement was dispatched to Lake Oconee Rental, on Marshall Road, in reference to burglary.
An employee reported that he opened the register and found $150 in 20’s stolen from the register. The register appeared to have been forcibly opened. A search of the store also revealed three hand held concrete saws stolen which cost a total of $5,100. There appeared to be no forced entry into the store but an employee stated the door to the garage sometimes fails to lock. Due to no offender being identified, no charges are being taken out at this time.
Man steals boat and trailer
On May 13, law enforcement was dispatched to Abbatoir Road in reference to a theft. Upon arriving on scene, the complainant informed police that he was fishing and noticed a boat upside down and a flashlight in the water next to it. The complainant flipped over the board, retrieved it, and loaded it onto his trailer before attaching a note with his contact information on the boat. He went back to fishing and left his trailer and truck in the parking area of the boat ramp with a trail camera recording his property. When he finished fishing and returned to the boat ramp, he noticed his trailer and the boat were both missing.
Law enforcement was able to retrieve the license plate from the boat on the video footage, but the boat was obscuring the license plate of the vehicle that stole the complainant’s trailer. Later, Flock cameras alerted law enforcement of the identity of the thief, William Griffin Jr.
Baldwin County Sheriff’s office made contact with a male, at the residence in their data, they believed to be Griffin.
Griffin was identified from the trail camera photos and placed under arrest.
Law enforcement checked the premises to find the plate Griffin removed from the trailer and Griffin also proceeded to modify the trailer prior to law enforcement arrival. The tag that was on the trailer was not found but the trailer was returned to the owner. Griffin was transported to Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office and a warrant for theft by taking was taken out against Griffin.
Man arrested for DUI after motor vehicle accident
On May 15, law enforcement was dispatched to the area of Hancock Street and Columbia Street in reference to a motor vehicle accident. Upon arrival, an officer made contact with the driver of the at fault vehicle who was later identified by his Georgia driver’s license as Denzel Warren. Reportedly, another motorist had witnessed him wreck his vehicle. When asked if he was injured, Warren responded that he needed air in his tire. Despite being ask to sit in his vehicle, Warren exited his car and approached the patrol vehicle.
In contrary to multiple instructions, he continued standing on the centerline of the road and stumbling backwards in the roadway. The officer was able to detect the odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his breath and observed Warren’s eyes were bloodshot and watery. Due to the less safe act that caused the crash, the odor of alcoholic beverage, the unsteadiness on his feet and his bloodshot watery eyes, the officer began to medically qualify Warren for a field sobriety test. After the test, Warren was placed under arrest for driving under the influence and transported to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office. Warren’s vehicle was removed from the scene by Central Georgia Towing.
Man attempts to steal $5,670 worth of merchandise from Tractor Supply
On May 15, law enforcement was dispatched to Tractor Supply, on North Columbia Street, in reference to an attempted shoplifting. An employee alerted their coworker that someone was trying to leave the garden area with two Hobart Welders ($2,399.99 each), and a Champion Generator ($500). The employee reportedly spoke with the male subject and asked for a receipt. The employee reported that the male was speaking with someone in an older model Ford, who had their tailgate down, and that truck pulled off when they noticed he was out there.
The unknown male then walked away towards China Garden. The employee retrieved the products and returned them to the shelves. Video surveillance footage confirmed the employee’s story. The totaled items retrieved from the man were worth $5,670.97.
Walmart shoplifter escapes into the woods