Woman’s death being investigated
Sheriff’s deputy Thomas Coley responded to a call reporting a death at a Pine Street address June 3. The deputy met the caller, who stated he woke up to find his companion cold to the touch and not breathing. The deputy asked to see the companion, who did not show any signs of life. She did appear to have multiple bruises and scrapes on her body. EMS arrived, confirming there was no pulse, and the coroner was notified. The caller explained he had picked the deceased from an Eatonton address and described their relationship as “friends with benefits.” This was the third time the two had spent time together. The man reporting the crime said he woke up at 2:35 a.m. to use the bathroom but found the deceased to be unresponsive. He added that the ex-boyfriend of the deceased, who lived at the same Eatonton address, was known to abuse and beat her. He also said the deceased had been fired from her job and was suffering from depression. He was unaware of any more medical history. The detective on call was notified, and photos were taken of the individual and the crime scene. The father was notified of the death by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
The deceased’s phone and car keys were turned into evidence, and her body was taken to Moore’s Funeral Home and will be sent to the crime lab.
He said, he said; both arrested
Sheriff’s deputy Thomas Coley was dispatched to a Garrett Way address June 4 in reference to assisting a citizen. The complainant, Jose Maopop, stated Martin Gomez-Caal punched him the head twice. The deputy observed the complainant’s left eye socket appeared swollen and said he did not know why he was struck. Coley made contact with Gomez-Caal, who said he was asleep at the residence when Maopop and two other individuals began to drag him out of the house. He added that the complainant also punched him in the face, and Gomez-Caal’s left eye socket also appeared to be swollen. Due to both parties wanting to press charges, both were arrested for affray.
Suspect tased, tackled, eventually arrested
Deputy Cecil Reyes conducted a traffic stop on a gold Lincoln LS with a drive-out tag that matched the description of a vehicle involved in a shoplifting incident the previous day. As Reyes approached the driver, identified as Kamal Kefing Hartry, he noticed the passenger begin to unbuckle his seatbelt and reach for the door handle. When Reyes asked the passenger for identification, he said he had none but that his name was “Gartrell Lee.” Reyes requested backup after identifying the passenger as James Gartricia Lee, who then tried to exit the vehicle. Reyes moved toward Lee and explained he was attempting to place the suspect in handcuffs due to outstanding warrants. Lee became combative, so Reyes deployed his taser. The probes only made partial connection, however, and one of the taser leads shocked Reyes. The deputy then grabbed the suspect and took him to the ground, who yelled at residents to surround the deputy. Once backup arrived, the crowd stepped back, and Lee was secured in handcuffs. Upon searching the suspect’s clothing, a bag containing a rock-like substance –suspected to be crack cocaine –was collected and placed into evidence. Another two bags containing what was suspected to be cocaine were also collected and placed into evidence. EMS was called to evaluate the Lee before he was transported to jail. Warrants were secured for obstruction of an officer, felony, and two counts for possession of Schedule II narcotic, felony.
Man shoplifts from Walmart
On June 6, law enforcement was dispatched to Walmart in reference to a theft. Asset Protection reported that Ronovan Spencer was witnessed not scanning items at the self-checkout. On security footage, Spencer walked up to the self-checkout with multiple items, scanned one item and did not scan the rest of the items in his possession. Spencer paid $4.30 for the one item he scanned and left the building after. The total value of the items taken without paying was $41.30. Spencer was placed under arrest for misdemeanor theft by shoplifting and transported to Baldwin County Law Enforcement Center.
Burglar steals residence windows
On June 7, law enforcement was dispatched to North Liberty Street in reference to a burglary that had already occurred. The homeowner stated he came home after receiving a telephone call about some of his property being outside. When he arrived, he noticed the front door was kicked in despite having boards over the door. He reported three, white RELIABILT 450 double-hung windows, approximately $129.85 in value, were missing. One window was left hidden behind brush at the location.
Man shoplifts $454 worth of merchandise
On June 7, law enforcement was dispatched to Walmart in reference to shoplifting. Asset Protection reported that a male came into the store on three separate occasions and stole merchandise by replacing the tags. He took a total of $454.26 worth of miscellaneous merchandise, they said. As of The Baldwin Bulletin’s deadline, there were no updates.