Male steals merchandise and returns it for store credit
On Oct. 18, law enforcement was dispatched to Lowes in reference to a theft. A male, later identified as Cameron Butcher, was reportedly taking merchandise and refunding it for store credit. Reportedly, the first theft occurred on Sept. 27 when Bucher took Clorox Xtra Blue Tabs ($150) and Chlorine Tablets ($19.24) which he brought to the customer service counter and refunded the items for store credit.
The second theft occurred on Sept. 30 and Bucher took a Smith Water Heater Isolation Valve ($119) and a Universal 3⁄4 Brass Water Heater ($269) which he again took to the customer service counter and refunded. The final theft occurred on Oct. 6 when Bucher took two 16-pound bags of Tall Fescue Grass Seed ($170.96) and two 30-inch Convertible White Under cabinets ($398) which he also got refunded at Lowes customer service. With receipts, security footage, and multiple witness reports, a warrant for theft by deception was taken out against Butcher.
Pair steal merchandise from Walmart
On Oct. 18, law enforcement was dispatched to Walmart in reference to a possible theft. Loss prevention personnel reported to authorities that a male, later identified as Marcus Middlebrooks, went through the selfcheckout line without scanning items.
Middlebrooks was reportedly using other bar codes priced for different items while scanning items not listed for that price. The personnel also reported seeing another male in a yellow jacket fail to scan Milo’s tea and conceal it inside a Walmart bag.
Reportedly, the pair would be eventually stopped after the transaction by asset protection but refused to stop and left the facility. The merchandise taken totaled to be $258.09 without taxes applied to the items. A warrant will be issued for Middlebrooks and as of The Baldwin Bulletin’s deadline, the yellow jacket male remains unidentified.
Unknown male robs pizza delivery guy
On Oct. 20, law enforcement was dispatched to Domino’s on North Columbia Street in reference to an armed robbery. According to an employee there, he was delivering several pizzas to Revelry Flatts when a male dressed in dark clothing and a skull mask approached him from the third floor. The unknown suspect, reportedly, had an automatic handgun and advised the employee to hand over the pizzas. The employee gave the male the pizza order, one 16-inch Brooklyn pepperoni and sausage pizza, one large thin crust pepperoni and sausage pizza, one large hand tossed pepperoni, ham and extra cheese pizza, and two liters of Dr. Pepper. The items totaled to $49.72. Reportedly, after giving up the order, the unknown male advised him to leave the area and he complied due to fearing for his safety. The employee would return to Domino’s safely.
Due to the male wearing concealing clothing, no charges are being pursued at this time.
Man flees after attempting to break into home
On Oct. 20, law enforcement was dispatched in reference to a burglary in progress. The victim reported hearing noises coming from the back side of her house. Upon investigating, she saw a man standing in front of the window prying it open with a knife. When the man saw the homeowner, they reportedly fled on foot. The offender had already fled by the time law enforcement arrived. A broken piece of the damage to the window was located on the ground and the screen was ripped off and missing.
Man arrested for possession of cocaine
On Oct. 20, law enforcement initiated a traffic stop on Marshall Road for a vehicle with an expired tag. Upon making contact with the driver, identified as Deon McClendon, the officer observed an alcoholic beverage in the rear passenger compartment, on the floor and reported smelling marijuana from the vehicle. McClendon handed the drink to the officer and stated that the smell was “roaches”.
Reportedly he showed the officer a cup containing tobacco and roaches inside.
As Mcclendon stepped out of the vehicle, he grabbed the cup of tobacco and dumped it out onto the ground.
Reportedly, the officer observed a green leafy substance suspected of being marijuana which McClendon stated came out the back of the blunt.
When searching the vehicle, with permission, law enforcement reportedly located a backpack with a plastic bag inside. The bag contained a white substance suspected to be cocaine. No further illegal substances were located in the vehicle. McClendon was arrested for possession of cocaine, received a citation for expired vehicle registration and received a written warning for open container.
Male flees law enforcement after initiating fights
On Oct. 22, law enforcement was conducting a foot patrol near South Wayne Street and West Hancock Street when an officer noticed a male attempting to kick somebody and being pulled back by friends or bystanders near Verizon. Moats refused to listen to verbal commands by an officer to stop and fled from the scene on foot.
Officers pursued Moats and were able to apprehend him near Barberito’s.
Moats was arrested and charged with affray and three counts of obstruction of law enforcement officers.
Unknown person assaults front counter clerk
On Oct. 22, law enforcement was dispatched to the Friendly Gus in reference to an assault. The victim was working at the front counter when an irate customer came around the counter and reportedly assaulted her.
According to the victim, the offender was being loud and disrespectful in the store so she exchanged a few words with them. However, the victim stated the interaction was non confrontational. Video surveillance footage showed the unknown offender walking aggressively around the counter and striking the victim in and about the face with a closed fist. The victim never attempted to strike back. Multiple staff members removed the offender from the victim. After the offender and another person with them exited the store. Redness was observed around the victim’s face but no other injuries were reported. According to the report, a criminal warrant for battery will be issued, upon identification of the offender.
Ex-wife sprays former partner with Raid Roach Repellant
On Oct. 22, law enforcement was dispatched to a residence in reference to battery (family violence).
According to the report, Jane Hart sprayed her ex-husband with Raid Roach Repellant, along with pushing, scratching and biting him all over his body. The ex did report he was unsure if he hit Hart when attempting to get her off his body. Hart told law enforcement that she was in an argument with her ex-husband over a woman he was seeing. She admitted to spraying him with the repellant and said that he punched her in the face. She also admitted to pushing him down, climbing on top of him, and hitting him multiple times. Her ex-husband was observed to have injuries on his face, arms, and legs. When asked why she had minimal visible injuries compared to her ex-husband, she reportedly claimed that the wounds inflicted on him were to defend herself. Hart was arrested for misdemeanor battery (family violence).
Drunk male busts The Velvet Elvis window
On Oct. 23, law enforcement was dispatched to The Velvet Elvis in reference to damage to property. A glass window located at the front of the business had been broken. It had an approximate value of $400. Employees stated that a male, identified as Brannon Tanner, entered The Velvet Elvis attempting to use the restroom.
He was informed the business was closed for the night and reportedly became angered, exited the establishment and punched out the front entrance glass window. Tanner was placed under arrest and charged with criminal trespass, damage to property and public drunkenness.