Man steals change to pay for groceries
On Nov. 26, law enforcement spoke with a victim at Walmart, at 2592 North Columbia St., in reference to theft. The victim stated she arrived at the location and purchased merchandise at selfcheckout register six. She was supposed to receive $40 in change; however, she was in a hurry and did not see the $40 exit the register for her to retrieve. She returned to the location and spoke with an employee who stated she needed to contact law enforcement to review security camera footage. Footage showed the victim purchase her merchandise and when she turned around and placed the items in her cart, the $40 in change exited the cash register. After she left, a male subject walked up to self- checkout register six. The male subject scanned his items and noticed the $40 in the machine and removed it. He then used her change to pay for his items and placed the rest of the money in his pocket. While the male subject was at the cash register, an employee spoke with the male subject, however, she was not working at the time of the report. The victim stated she wished to pursue charges against the male subject.
Woman eats chips and refuses to pay
On Nov. 28, law enforcement contacted the manager at the Jet Food Store, 1111 S. Wayne St., in reference to a theft. Four female subjects were observed entering the store. One of the females opened a bag of chips and proceeded to consume the merchandise. The manager stated she observed her place the open bag of chips back on the shelf. She was able to observe the theft through live video footage.
When confronted for not paying for the merchandise she consumed, the female became disrespectful. The manager stated the female advised her to call law enforcement because she was not going to pay for the bag of chips. The female then entered the driver seat of a 2012 gray Hyundai Sonata and drove away. The merchandise cost $2.59. After further investigation, the vehicle described came back to another subject who did not appear to be the same individual being accused of shoplifting. An attempt was made to get in contact with the vehicle owner via cellphone, however, law enforcement was met with negative results.
Man caught with drugs at jail
On Nov. 28, an officer conducted a traffic stop on a gray Nissan Altima, due to the vehicle's registration being suspended, and the registered owner being wanted for an active parole violation warrant. Upon approaching the vehicle, they recognized the passenger and registered owner of the vehicle, Dontea Veal, from his driver's license photo. Veal was arrested and transported to the jail without incident. While completing Veal's booking sheet at the jail, a sergeant was present and conducted a more thorough search of Veal’s person.
According to the report, “while I was escorting Dontea from my patrol vehicle into the jail sally port, I asked Dontea if he had anything hidden on his person. Dontea replied to my question, by stating 'No.'” However, the sergeant located a clear plastic bag containing a white powdery substance suspected of being cocaine.
After a strip search, officers also located a clear glass smoking device, commonly used to smoke illegal narcotics, with an amount of white powdery substance on the inside.
Three state warrants were secured on Veal possession of cocaine, possession and use of drug related objects, and crossing state guard lines with drugs.
Traffic stop reveals drug related objects
On Nov. 30, while patrolling the area of Gordon Highway and the State Route 29 Bypass, an officer observed a tan GMC Envoy fail to maintain its lane. As the vehicle approached the intersection on Gordon Highway, it came to a stop partially in the gore for the turn lane onto State Route 29 Bypass. The vehicle then crossed the bypass and continued onto Irwinton Road, crossing the fog line several times. The officer initiated a traffic stop in the Royal Inn Motel parking lot.
The driver, who was identified as Austin Durden, and the passenger, identified as Mckenlie Nobles, were informed of the reason for the stop. While speaking with Durden, the officer could smell the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.
Durden was asked to exit the vehicle and walk back to the patrol car and complied.
Durden stated there was possibly a marijuana roach in the cup holder area. Due to the odor of marijuana and his admission that there may be marijuana in the vehicle, the officer conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle. When asked, Durden stated that he had nothing but two vape pens on his person. Nobles then exited the vehicle and stated there was nothing in the vehicle. During the search, the officer located a plastic bag with the corners ripped off under the passenger seat and in the door pocket of the driver's door. In the center console was a digital scale with a white powder substance on it and a glass pipe with residue inside. The officer returned to Nobles, who advised that Durden deals cocaine downtown on the weekends. Nobles also stated if there was not any narcotics in the center console or driver's door pocket, there was none in the vehicle. She further stated that the vape pens in Nobles' possession were THC vape pens. Durden was placed under arrest for drug-related objects and VGCSA possession of a schedule one controlled substance, THC Vape Oil.
Group arrested for possession of methamphetamine On Nov. 30, while on patrol in the area of South Wayne Street and Vinson Highway, an officer was behind a black Nissan Versa traveling south on South Wayne Street. They observed the driver of the Nissan make a lane change from the left lane to the right lane and back to the left lane. The driver then turned onto Swint Avenue and activated the right turn signal as if intending to turn into a driveway. The driver continued traveling south, turned off the right turn signal and turned on the left signal. The officer ran the vehicle's tag through GCIC and discovered the vehicle's registration was suspended and the vehicle had no valid insurance. As the vehicle made a left onto Bell Avenue, the officer conducted a traffic stop. The vehicle made a left onto Edwards Street and came to a stop. The driver, identified as Kaci Rehewald, and two passengers were heading to Brandon Blizard’s, later identified as one of the passengers, house on Irwinton Road.
Both male passengers were asked if they had any form of identification, and both stated they did not. According to the report, the officer “noticed the front seat passenger was wearing a hoodie, partially blocking his face, and would not look in my direction even when being asked a question.” Rehewald exited the vehicle upon request and stated nothing illegal was inside. She gave consent to search the vehicle and a deputy was called to assist. Blizzard, the front passenger, was asked to exit the vehicle and stated he believed he had a probation warrant.
During the vehicle search, the officer located a glasses container with a glass pipe inside with residue, and a bag containing suspected methamphetamine.
The officer informed the group of their Miranda Rights and asked each person individually if they understood their rights and if they still wanted to speak. All three agreed to continue speaking with the officer. Each person was asked individually if the narcotics and pipe located belonged to them, and each person stated no. Rehewald, Blizzard, and Raymond Bloodworth, the other passenger, were placed under arrest for VCGSA possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug-related objects. Rehewald was also issued citations for driving with a suspended vehicle registration and no valid insurance.
Man stopped for obscure driving pattern
On Dec. 1, law enforcement was dispatched to the 400 block of Kings Road regarding a suspicious vehicle. Prior to officer arrival, dispatch advised that the vehicle had driven past a residence several times and left the area heading towards town. Upon arrival in the area, the officer observed a dark gray Kia SUV traveling northwest on Kings Road. The Kia was partially on the roadway and partially on the grass shoulder, traveling approximately 20 miles per hour. As the vehicle passed them, the driver accelerated towards the roundabout at the intersection of Kings Road and Stembridge Road.
The officer made a U-turn and caught up with the vehicle in the 200 block of Stembridge Road and observed the Kia fail to maintain the proper lane several times, as it crossed the fog line and center line. After a traffic stop was initiated, the driver, identified as Vincent Mcelroy Jr., stated he was lost and looking for 426 Kings Road. Mcelroy stated he was supposed to be meeting a friend but couldn't find the house and ended up driving back and forth on Kings Road several times.
The officer asked Mcelroy if he would consent to Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) due to the observed driving behavior and Mcelroy stated he had not consumed any alcoholic beverages but agreed to the tests. While speaking with Mcelroy, the officer did not detect the odor of alcohol. After checking Mcelroy's eyes, it was determined that he was not impaired.
Upon running Mcelroy through GCIC, it was discovered he was not licensed to drive and his privileges to drive in Georgia were suspended. When asked, Mcelroy admitted to having a bag of marijuana on the passenger seat. Due to Mcelroy admitting that there was marijuana in the vehicle, the officer conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle and located suspected methamphetamine in a backpack. Mcelroy was placed under arrest for possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, and driving with a suspended license.