Man caught shoplifting three times
On Jan. 17, law enforcement was dispatched to Walmart about multiple reports of shoplifting. Surveillance footage on Jan. 1, 4, and Dec. 29 showed a male shoplifting from the self-checkout. An employee identified the male as Randy Wright. The miscellaneous items totaled $76.29. Wright was placed into custody at his place of work. Due to his arm brace, handcuffing Wright was not possible. Wright was taken to the Baldwin County LEC without incident and three citations for shoplifting were secured for Wright.
Traffic stops led to the discovery of methamphetamine On Jan. 19, law enforcement responded to 2610 Irwinton Road to assist with a traffic stop involving a wanted person. Hunter Adams, who was already in custody, granted verbal consent for a search of his vehicle. The passenger, Kim Cook, was instructed to exit the vehicle and leave its contents undisturbed. During the search of the vehicle, a deputy discovered a small clear jar with a black lid.
The jar was found inside a purse on the front passenger seat, where Cook had been seated. The jar contained a clear, crystallized substance believed to be methamphetamine. Cook stated that Adams had given her the jar when they were pulled over. Adams denied handing Cook anything and claimed that the jar did not belong to him. Adams was secured in the back seat of a patrol vehicle, and Cook was transported to the jail. A warrant for possession of methamphetamine was secured against Cook.
A traffic accident occurs at the intersection of North Columbia and Admiralty Way
On Jan. 19, law enforcement was dispatched to the intersection of North Columbia Street and Admiralty Way about a vehicle accident. While I en route, dispatch advised an officer that a white Chevrolet truck left the scene. The truck was reported to have entered Little River Park Campground at 3069 N. Columbia St.
Upon arrival, a white 2000 Ford F250 was located in the center lane of North Columbia Street with substantial damage to the passenger side door and the bed. The driver, Thor Odum, stated he was traveling south on North Columbia Street in the inside lane when the white Chevrolet truck pulled into the roadway from Admiralty Way into his lane of travel. Odum stated he moved into the center turning lane to avoid a collision, and the white Chevrolet truck struck his vehicle on the passenger side.
Odum further stated the other vehicle also had substantial front-end damage. Odom’s passenger stated she did not see the vehicle enter the roadway.
Another deputy was able to locate a 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche with heavy front-end damage in Little River Park Campground.
The driver, identified as Cody Hayes, stated he was attempting to turn out of the Circle K at 3056 N. Columbia St. and was struck by a speeding vehicle. While speaking with Hayes, the deputy detected the odor of an unknown alcoholic beverage coming from his breath, even over the smell of the cigarette he was smoking.
Hayes reportedly had red, watery eyes, slurred speech, and slowed and delayed movements. Hayes was detained and transported to the crash scene to be interviewed further.
Hayes told the deputies that he had consumed a few beers before the accident. When he pulled into the roadway and noticed Odum's vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed, Hayes stated he collided with Thor's vehicle, and he wanted to get his vehicle out of the roadway. He reportedly drove his vehicle into the campground to turn around and come back.
Hayes was charged with driving under the influence, hit and run, expired vehicle tag or decal, and failure to yield right of way.
Driver arrested for improper turn
On Jan. 20, law enforcement was patrolling the area of North Jefferson Street at the intersection of East Thomas Street, when an officer observed a bronze 2018 Ford Escape make an improper left turn onto East Thomas Street. There is a sign at the corner of East Thomas Street and North Jefferson Street that prohibits left turns.
The vehicle failed to maintain its lane of travel by crossing over the centerline three times. The officer attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle at the intersection of North Elbert Street and East McIntosh Street. However, the driver of the vehicle continued traveling south on North Elbert Street at a low speed.
The driver used a hand signal as they continued to drive to indicate the officer to follow and eventually came to a stop in front of 231 E. Screven St.
The driver, identified as Timothy Adams Jr., stated he did not stop because he wanted to get his vehicle home. Adams further stated that he knew he was going to jail for his driver's license being suspended. The officer could smell a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle and Adams stated he had a couple of grams of marijuana behind him. He also stated there was a pistol in the driver's door.
A search of the vehicle revealed a brown cross body bag behind the front passenger seat in the floorboard with a clear Mason jar containing two clear bags, and a clear bag containing a green leafy substance suspected to be marijuana. The officer also located a black Backwoods digital scale and two small black bags in the bag as well.
The vehicle was towed from the scene by the Old Capitol Wrecker service. Adams was transported to the jail without incident and issued three traffic citations for improper turn, failure to drive within a single lane and charged for possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of or attempt to commit certain crimes and purchase, possession, manufacture, distribution, or sale of marijuana.