On Jan. 19, law enforcement was dispatched to South Jefferson Street in reference to shots being fired in the area. Upon arrival, two male juveniles were located on Scott Hill Street leaving from the direct area of the reported shots fired. Law enforcement searched the pair and located a black handgun in a cross body sling bag on one of the juveniles.
The handgun was identified as a .380 Smith & Wesson and was noted to have an altered or defaced serial number. It had one loaded magazine with seven unspent cartridges. That juvenile was arrested and charged with felony criminal use of an article with an altered identification, misdemeanor possession of a firearm by a person under eighteen years of age and felony theft by receiving stolen property.
Man points knife at Dollar General worker
On Jan. 19, law enforcement located Jadarrus McDowell, who matched the description of the suspect involved in an armed robbery at Dollar General.
According to the victim’s statement, McDowell attempted to exit the store when a packaged pair of gloves valued at $5 fell out of his pocket. When asked if he was going to pay for them, McDowell reportedly pulled out a knife, pointed it towards the victim and then promptly left the location. Surveillance footage showed this series of events to be true. Another camera, on the outside of the building, also showed the victim follow him outside and showed McDowell turn toward them with a knife in his right hand before leaving the location. During a search incident to arrest, an officer found a pair of black and blue in color medium sized women’s workout gloves matching the packaging. Warrants were secured for McDowell for the offenses of armed robbery and possession of a knife during commission of certain crimes.
Man steals $300 worth of merchandise from Ross
On Jan. 20, law enforcement was dispatched to Ross on North Columbia Street in reference to a shoplifting. Pedro Pablo Correa Moya was seen on video surveillance leaving the location with what appeared to be approximately $300 of unpaid merchandise and returned to the location. The items reported stolen included: approximately six cologne packages ($180), 10 navy blue Nike shirts ($100), and an unknown total amount of kids shoes ($24). Moya was arrested and cited with shoplifting less than $500.
Ex-girlfriend rages over TikTok live
On Jan. 20, law enforcement responded to Ambiance Salon regarding a fight. Reportedly, Elisa Pitts came to the salon after her ex spoke about their relationship on a TikTok live while doing a client’s hair. According to the victim,
she was discussing relationship advice and reasons for her past relationship failing. When Pitts came into the salon, she began a verbal altercation that turned physical after Pitts cornered the victim and she slapped Pitts in an attempt to escape. Pitts then began to punch the victim in the face and head repeatedly causing the victim to pass out. Pitts left the incident location prior to officers’ arrival and EMS arrived on scene shortly, checked and cleared the victim on scene. The owner of Ambiance Salon advised she observed Pitts start the verbal altercation and punch the victim. Warrants were obtained for Elisa Pitts for battery family violence and she was arrested on Jan. 22.
Pair tamper with farm equipment
On Jan. 21, law enforcement responded to Vinson Highway in reference to damage of property. The complainant stated that there was a recreational vehicle on his family member’s property near their farm equipment. According to their report, they went to look at the shed and noticed their mower had wires cut, their four-wheeler had wires cut and a battery was connected to jumper cables that were not previously on the four-wheeler. They also reported tools missing from the shed and that a catalytic converter was taken off of their vehicle, a hose was in the gas tank to siphon gas and parts of the engine were taken apart in the vehicle. Upon law enforcement’s arrival, officers observed a tractor outside of the shed with a bush hog attached and a flat tire, the ATV as described, the vehicle as described and yard tools removed from the shed.
The offenders were still in the recreational vehicle when law enforcement arrived and were identified as John Currie and William Christopher Rider.
According to the incident report, the pair were under the influence of drugs and would repeatedly change their story while questioned. A secondary incident report stated it was apparent that Currie and Rider had both tampered with and damaged the victim’s property. In addition, the report states they asked an officer to lock their RV and upon entering the vehicle, the officer located two bags containing a substance appearing to be cocaine or methamphetamine. Warrants to felony possession of methamphetamine, felony criminal damage to property in the second degree and felony theft by taking were secured for Currie and Rider.
Catalytic converters stolen at Oconee Center Behavioral Health
On Jan. 23 law enforcement responded to two thefts at Oconee Center Behavioral Health. A catalytic converter stolen from a Ford F-150 is valued at approximately $1,200. In addition, catalytic converters were taken from two 1996 Ford Super Wagons. The two catalytic converters are approximately $1,200 each with a total value of $2,400.