Man steals food from Aldi Food Market
On Sept. 6, law enforcement was dispatched to Aldi Food Market, at 1978 N. Columbia St., in reference to shoplifting. A male subject, later identified as George Hogan, placed merchandise in his shorts in the refrigerated section.
Hogan scanned several items and attempted to pay for the items with his card, however, his card was declined, and he canceled his order. Hogan began to exit the location where an employee contacted him. Hogan agreed to a pat down but put his hands in his pockets before they started to pat him down.
The employee heard plastic being pressed down and noticed a plastic container in Hogan’s waist band, which appeared to have a label for merchandise from Aldi. The plastic container held a calzone from Aldi. They also located another container with a calzone as well as a mashed potato plate. The merchandise was valued at approximately $9.77. Hogan was placed in handcuffs and transported to Baldwin County Law Enforcement Center without incident and issued a citation for shoplifting.
Man caught with stolen credit cards
On Sept. 6, Davilan Lyles reported a fraud occurring at King of Smoke, at 1835 N. Columbia St. Lyles went into Cookout, at 1893 N. Columbia St., with several bags to conduct business for Cookout. Lyles stated he dropped off all the bags in the dining room of the location and inside one of the bags was his wallet. Lyles advised when he returned home, he was notified on his cell phone that a transaction was declined. He observed a transaction at King of Smoke for $1.29 on his bank statements. The manager at King of Smoke advised a male, known as Kristopher Mobley, came into the store and purchased a Black and Mild Cigar, Sweet, for approximately $1.29.
The manager pulled camera footage of the incident and a copy of the receipt.
Mobley used a credit card to purchase a Black and Mild cigar, for $1.29 and left the location. While checking the area, an officer observed Mobley exit the Tipsy Liquor Store and advised him he was under arrest for financial transaction card fraud. During the search incident to arrest Mobley, the office located five debit/credit cards, a Georgia driver license, and two medical cards belonging to Lyles. Mobley was transported to the Baldwin County Law Enforcement Center without further incident. Officers returned Lyels’ property to him. Mobley is being charged with one count financial transaction card fraud, five counts of financial transaction card theft, and one count of false identification.
Two males caught with methamphetamine
On Sept. 6, law enforcement was patrolling the area of Effingham Road and South Wayne Street when an officer observed a motorcycle with no tag displayed. The motorcycle was in the parking lot at Dairy Queen and was surrounded by three males. The officer had previously seen the motorcycle being driven on the roadway and the driver of the motorcycle at the time was able to evade them prior to being stopped. The officer turned into the parking lot of Dairy Queen to speak to the three individuals but one of the subjects began walking up Effingham Road. The officer called for back-up and stopped the male who left. The male identified himself as Jordan Sanford. Sanford had an outstanding warrant out of Jones County and attempted to run from arrest but slipped on the wet asphalt and fell to the ground. Sanford was placed under arrest without further incident. He was searched prior to being placed into the patrol vehicle and a white napkin with a substance believed to be methamphetamine was recovered from his pants pocket. Two clear glass pipes were also recovered. Sanford was transported to the jail without incident and charged with possession of a drug-related object, possession of methamphetamine, and obstruction of officers. One of the officers called for back-up met with Shawn Billado at the motorcycles.
Billado had outstanding warrants from Paulding County and was placed under arrest. The officer conducted a search of Billado’s person and located a small bag with a substance suspected to be methamphetamine in his right front pocket. Billado was arrested for his outstanding warrant and possession of methamphetamine.
Drunk driver rear ends vehicle
On Sept. 7, law enforcement responded to the intersection of North Jefferson Street and Dunlap Road in reference to a collision between two vehicles. Thomas Carpenter, the driver of a white 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan, stated he was stopped while traveling north on North Jefferson Street in the left turn lane to turn onto Dunlap Road. Carpenter advised while he was stopped for oncoming traffic, his vehicle was struck in the rear by another vehicle. Nathaniel Cobb, driver of a gray 2005 Chevrolet Silverado, stated he was traveling north on North Jefferson Street in the left turn lane approaching Dunlap Road when he attempted to brake, but his vehicle hit a “slick spot,” and slid into Carpenter’s vehicle. Law enforcement ran Cobb’s Chevrolet Silverado, which returned with canceled registration and no insurance. Cobb’s identification card, which he provided through GCIC, returned with a revoked driver’s license. After placing Cobb under arrest, the officer smelled the odor of an alcoholic beverage on Cobb’s breath. Cobb informed the officer he had a few drinks earlier in the day. Another officer arrived on scene to conduct a standardized field sobriety test on Cobb. The officer read Cobb his Miranda Rights and Cobb refused to speak. Cobb was transported to the Baldwin County Law Enforcement Center without incident and issued citations for driving under the influence less safe, driving while license revoked, and driving a vehicle with no insurance.
Man leaves scene of hit & run
On Sept. 7, law enforcement made contact with the complainant in the parking lot near Amici’s, at 101 West Hancock Street, in reference to a hit and run. The complainant reported that they and a few friends were standing in front of the restaurant when they heard the sound of a collision. Due to being parked in the vicinity, they walked over to make sure their vehicle was okay. The driver of the vehicle exited his car and looked at the damage caused to a nearby parked 2020 Hyundai Palisade. The complainant stated the male pushed the side view mirror back in place and began to get back in his vehicle. The complainant advised the male that they had been in an accident and if he left, he’d call the police but the male left. According to the report, a bicycle rack attached to the rear of the Hyundai had been struck, pushing it into the rear bumper of the vehicle and breaking it.
The vehicle owner, Stephanie Landry, was contacted and her husband, Brett Landry responded to the scene. Landry confirmed the bike rack had not been damaged last he saw it and that the replacement cost would be about $500. An officer located the offender, identified as Lawrence Sweat, at the Greene Street Pool Tavern. Sweat was observed parked out front. No damage was observed on the passenger side of the vehicle but Sweat matched the description offered by the complainant. Sweat stated he and his passengers did not feel the impact but got out and repositioned the side view mirror back in place. Sweat was cited for hit and run. There were no reported injuries at the time of the collision.
Man steals fireball from Discount Tobacco On Sept. 8, law enforcement made contact with an employee at Discount Tobacco, at 640 S. Wayne St., in reference to shoplifting. Calvin Brown reportedly stole several bottles of Fireball whiskey while an employee was distracted talking to another customer.
The employee determined from a box containing 10 sleeves of fireball, seven sleeves had been taken. Each sleeve is $9.99 and outside of whatever else the offender took, the total value of the alcohol was $70. Law enforcement positively identified Calvin Brown in the video surveillance footage as he pocketed some of the alcohol. The area was canvassed with negative results on Brown. A warrant for theft by shoplifting was secured for Brown.