Gun shots reported near South Elbert Street
On Dec. 29, law enforcement was dispatched to the area of Southside Equipment, 140 East Andrews Street, in reference to a gunshot being fired.
Dispatch advised a black male wearing a red hoodie fired several gunshots in the area and was walking east on East Andrews Street towards South Elbert Street. As an officer was traveling south on South Elbert Street, they observed a light skin black male wearing a red in color hoodie, jeans, and an afro walking south in the Southside Customs Paint and Body parking lot, 1051 South Elbert Street. When they returned to the location, they no longer saw the subject.
Shift officers patrolled the area to locate the subject but were met with negative results. Contact was made with the complainant who stated he was traveling on Vinson Highway when he heard a gunshot from South Jefferson Street south of Vinson Highway. He advised the black male subject wearing a red hoodie then crossed Vinson Highway traveling north on foot on South Jefferson Street with a handgun in his hand. Law enforcement attempted to locate shell casings on South Jefferson Street but met with negative results.
On the same day, law enforcement was dispatched to the area of the Amoco, 1200 Vinson Highway, in reference to reported gunshots being fired. A witness stated he was at the Amoco when he heard several gunshots from South Elbert Street before a light blue in color Sports Utility Vehicle passed the location traveling south on South Elbert Street. He advised the Sports Utility Vehicle then entered onto Vinson Highway and traveled south. He did not observe any firearms coming from the vehicle. Another witness stated he was inside his residence and heard eight to ten gunshots in the area on the intersection of Vinson Highway and South Elbert Street followed by hearing a car spin tires and accelerate quickly.
Officers also searched this area for shell casings but were met with negative results.
Man shoplifts from Dollar General
On Dec. 30, law enforcement was dispatched to the Dollar general, at 207 Roberson Mill Rd., in reference to a theft. An employee stated a male customer left with a shopping cart full of merchandise. The customer reportedly came inside the location and began shopping while another employee was working on the soap aisle. The customer began walking towards the register and the other employee believed he was about to check out, but the subject began to walk towards the door. The subject loaded the merchandise in a gray Nissan Rouge, which appeared to have a drive out tag with red lettering, and left the location. As of The Baldwin Bulletin’s deadline, it is unknown what was taken and the value of the items. A vehicle could not be located matching the description provided.
Food shoplifted from Walmart
On Jan 2, law enforcement was dispatched to Walmart, at 2592 North Columbia St., in reference to shoplifting. Loss Prevention staff advised she had been monitoring the store’s video surveillance system and observed a female customer at self-checkout station #20 failing to scan all items. She dispatched an associate to assist the customer to ensure she understood the checkout process. After the associate left, the customer, later identified as Bridgette Adams, continued placing unscanned items into shopping bags.
The total value of the unpaid items was $48.84. When Adams passed the final point of sale, without paying for the items, she was approached by Loss Prevention staff and escorted to their office for further discussion. Adams stated that she was homeless and needed assistance feeding her children. Adams was issued a citation for shoplifting due to no other noted shoplifting incidents.
Drunk driver crashes into ditch
On Jan. 1, law enforcement was dispatched to the area of Colony Farm Road near Lingold Road in reference to a single vehicle crash. Upon arrival, an officer observed a black BMW in a ditch. The driver, identified as John Rourke, spoke with slurred speech and was reportedly unsteady on his feet.
Rourke consented to a Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and was determined to be unsafe to drive. Rourke was placed under arrest and consented to a test of his breath. He was transported to the jail, where Trooper Kirby administered the breath test on the Intoxilyzer 9000.
Rourke registered a 0.182 and received citations for failure to maintain lane and driving under the influence.
Thief likes Hello Kitty
On Jan. 3, law enforcement was dispatched to Grandview Drive in reference to a burglary. The victim stated she arrived home and observed her front door had been kicked in. Officers conducted a security sweep of the residence and had negative contact with anyone inside. There was damage to the front door frame and the latch bolt.
The victim reported missing a Steven Matten Glove set, Hello Kitty pajamas, and a Hello Kitty bookbag purse totaling approximately $90.
Vehicle pursuit initiated on Allen Memorial Drive On Jan. 5, law enforcement was patrolling the area of Allen Memorial Drive when an officer observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. The driver, identified as Ricky Myrick, traveled at 56 miles per hour in a posted 35 mile per hour speed zone. The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop with the 2012 Hyundai Elantra at the intersection of Allen Memorial Drive and Ivey Drive, but the driver failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated. The officer pursued the vehicle east on Allen Memorial Drive with the top speed reaching 60 miles per hour in a posted 35 mile per hour speed zone. At the intersection of Irwinton Road and Caraker Avenue, the driver failed to stop for the red light and continued north onto South Wayne Street. After the vehicle went through the intersection, the driver began traveling in the opposite lane of travel. He turned into the parking lot of 1111 South Wayne St., where the vehicle came to a stop. The officer exited their vehicle and held Myrick at gunpoint while giving verbal commands for him to keep his hands up. Additional deputies arrived, and assisted him out of the vehicle.
Myrick was placed under arrest without further incident. Myrick was issued citations for speeding, driving without a license, failure to obey a traffic control device, and fleeing or attempting to elude-felony. One state warrant for felony fleeing or attempting to elude an officer was sworn against Myrick.