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Officers responded to the parking lot of a local hotel in reference to a woman passed out in a pool of vomit. While on scene, those officers noticed that the woman’s boyfriend was acting strangely and interfering with firefighters as they tried to check her vital signs.
When asked, the man admitted that he and his girlfriend have been known to use methamphetamine, but insisted that they had only been drinking alcohol that evening.
As his girlfriend was loaded into the back of an ambulance, the man climbed inside and refused to exit when instructed to do so by medical personnel. At that time, an officer took hold of the man’s arm and instructed him to get out of the ambulance. In response, the man atttempted to pull away from the officer and lean further into the vehicle. The officer then aimed a Taser at the man and informed him that if he did not get out of the ambulance he would be tasered. The man finally complied and was placed under arrest for Obstruction.
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While on patrol in the area of Highway 80, one of our officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for having a license plate that was dented in the center, making it difficult to read. A check of that license plate would reveal that the registration was suspended. While speaking with the driver, the officer noticed he smelled similar to an alcoholic drink and that his eyes were red and “glossy”. During the course of the subsequent investigation, the officer found additional evidence to suggest that the man had been operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. At that time, the driver was placed under arrest and charged with Obscured or Missing License Plate, Suspended Registration, No License on Person and DUI (Less Safe).
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Also on Tuesday, officers responded to the area of 19th Street in reference to a stolen vehicle.
While speaking with officers, the victim stated that someone had stolen her backpack, which contained her car keys, while she was on the beach. Upon returning to the parking lot ,she realized that her vehicle had also been stolen. Luckily enough, she was able to use a tracker on the car to pinpoint its location on King Street in Savannah, Georgia. As a result, officers were able to coordinate with the Savannah Police Department to ensure its successful recovery.
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One of our officers was on foot patrol in the area of Tybrisa Street, when he spotted a man sitting in a photo booth with his pants around his ankles and a naked woman on her knees. Upon further investigation, the officer determined that the woman was in the process of performing oral sex on her companion. After instructing the pair to get dressed, the officer placed them both under arrest for Disorderly Conduct.
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Officers located a stolen vehicle in the parking lot of a local motel. During the course of the investigation, they were able to determine that the occupants of the vehicle were staying at the motel and obtained a room number. When confronted by officers, the men claimed that they rented the vehicle in Atlanta but stated that they “did not go through a regular rental company”. At that time, they were both placed under arrest and charged with Theft by Receiving (Felony). Before leaving the scene, officers noticed that there was a large bird in the room as well. Out of concern for the animal’s safety, officers took the bird to the Tybee Island Police Department until it could be turned over to a family member of the suspects.
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Later that same day, one of our officers was on patrol when he spotted a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction on Strand Avenue. After conducting a traffic stop, the officer learned that the driver’s license was suspended. He was subsequently placed under arrest and charged with Wrong Way on a One Way and Driving While License Suspended.
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Just after midnight, two officers were on foot patrol on Tybrisa Street, when they heard approximately five gunshots coming from Atlantic Avenue. Officers ran to the scene, but could not locate any suspects or victims in the area. While speaking with our officers, a witness stated that they saw a man dressed in all black, carrying a gun, get into a sedan and drive away. A “Be On the Lookout” was broadcast to all officers with a description of the suspect vehicle.
A short time later, officers stopped a vehicle matching the description and conducted a search, however no evidence of a firearm was found within. As such, the vehicle was released from the scene and the occupants were allowed to go on their way.
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Two hours later, officers were on foot patrol when they spotted a man dressed in all black walking down Tybrisa Street with a handgun hanging out of his pocket. As officers continued to watch, the man began to shout profanity as he pulled the gun from his pocket.
Due to the fact that the man was in an area surrounded by innocent bystanders and open businesses, an officer took quick action to intervene. Drawing his service weapon, the officer ordered the man to place the gun on the ground. In response, the man continued to walk away from the officer with the gun held out in front of him, before ducking behind a nearby vehicle. At that time, the officer was able to hear the sound of the gun scraping across asphalt as the man tossed it under the car.
The man then stood up and continued to walk away, ignoring several commands to stop…until he was tasered. Once he was on the ground, officers moved in and placed the man in handcuffs. At that time, Emergency Medical Personnel responded to the scene to assess the suspect’s injuries, and he refused any further medical treatment. While speaking with officers, witnesses claimed that the man was angry because someone had stolen his AR style rifle from his vehicle. That weapon was located a short distance away behind a nearby business. Both firearms were taken into police custody and the man was charged with Obstruction.
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Later that day, officers responded to the area of 6th Avenue and Highway 80 for a possible domestic disturbance. As officers arrived on scene, the suspect was yelling at several bystanders. During this time, officers noticed that he had a strong odor similar to that of an alcoholic drink emitting from his body and that he appeared to be highly intoxicated. As officers attempted to divert the man’s attention, he became aggressive, stepping up into an officer’s face and “bowing up” his chest in a fighting posture. As officers moved to place him under arrest he began to attempt to pull away, forcing our team to pin him against a car in order to place him in handcuffs. He was subsequently charged with Disorderly Conduct.
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That afternoon, officers were on foot patrol in the area of Tybrisa and Strand when they received information that crowds of people were fleeing the beach and that there had possibly been shots fired. As they ran to the area, two officers noticed that hundreds of people were running down the ramp of the Tybee Island Pier and Pavilion in panic. At that time, they diverted their course, running up the ramp and charging through the sea of people in an attempt to locate and neutralize the perceived threat. Once under the pavilion, they realized that no shots had been fired and there was no immediate danger. Witnesses would later report that “somebody ran, so we all ran”.
(CONT.)
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Officers responded to the beach near the 15th Street Crossover to assist the Tybee Island Fire Department with a woman who had fallen ill. Once on scene, officers noticed that they were surrounded by hundreds of people, making it difficult for medical personnel to respond and help. As such, one officer lifted the woman onto his shoulder and single-handedly carried her off of the beach while the others cleared the way and provided crowd control. The woman was then carried to the nearby South Annex, where she was able to receive the care she needed.
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That afternoon, officers were dealing with heavy traffic on Butler Avenue, when they heard and saw a muscle car doing “burnouts” in the middle of the road. After confronting the driver, officers asked to see his license. At that time the man appeared to reach for his ID before suddenly accelerating, intentionally slamming his car into several other vehicles and almost striking a group of pedestrians in his attempt to get away. The man then crashed in the parking lot of a nearby gas station, where officers were able to catch up to him and pull him from the vehicle. During a subsequent search of the muscle car, officers located a bag of marijuana and two firearms, one of which had been reported stolen. The man was subsequently charged with Laying Drag, Reckless Driving, Fleeing and Attempting to Elude, Driving While License Suspended, Theft by Receiving (Felony), Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
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Later that day, officers responded to the area of 11th Street in reference to someone attempting to break into a vehicle. Upon their arrival, they spotted a man with no shirt, running from the scene. Officers ordered the man to stop, but he refused to comply. While checking the area, the man was found lying in the yard of a nearby home. He was subsequently placed under arrest and charged with Loitering or Prowling, Criminal Trespass and Obstruction.
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That night, one of our officers was on patrol in the area of Butler Avenue when he spotted a car traveling at approximately 5 MPH with a crowd of people banging on the windows. While speaking with the officer, the crowd indicated that the driver was asleep behind the wheel. At that time the car struck a curb, finally coming to a stop. While speaking with the driver, the officer noted that he was unsteady on his feet and smelled strongly of an alcoholic beverage. During the course of the subsequent investigation, the officer found additional evidence to suggest that the man had been operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. He was subsequently placed under arrest and charged with Driving While License Suspended and DUI.
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At the same time, three officers were on foot patrol in the area of Inlet Avenue when they heard several gunshots erupt from the area of 15th Street. While running to the scene. they heard a witness shout, “HE’S GOT A GUN!”. As bystanders spotted officers on the run, they began to point into the parking lot of a nearby motel while shouting out the description of the suspect. Rounding the corner, officers encountered a man in the parking lot with a handgun holster clipped to the front of his shorts. Drawing their service weapons, the officers ordered the man to show them his hands, to which he complied. While checking the area, a handgun and several spent shell casings were found nearby. The man was placed under arrest and charged with Reckless Conduct and Discharging a Firearm in the City Limits.
While officers were still on scene, a series of gunshots rang out from behind a motel across the street. After running to the area, officers located several spent shell casings for both a handgun and rifle, but no victims or suspects.
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Around 1AM, officers responded to the area of Butler Avenue and the sharp curve in reference to a man asleep behind the wheel of a vehicle. Upon their arrival, officers instructed the man to exit. In response, he attempted to place the vehicle into “Drive”. Officers were then forced to pull the man from the vehicle, at which time they noticed that his eyes were blood shot and he smelled strongly of an alcoholic beverage. He was subsequently placed under arrest and charged with DUI (Less Safe).
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Later that day, officers responded to the 16th Street beach crossover in reference to a fight. As they arrived on scene, they found a woman being assisted by several bystanders. At that time, the officers noticed that her face had been badly beaten, and that she was noticeably bruised and swollen with a trickle of blood coming from her nose. While speaking with our team, the woman stated that she had been beaten and robbed of her purse by several people in the crowd on the beach. She also indicated that her daughter had also been beaten, and that she was still lost somewhere among the sea of people. At that time, two officers took the woman to the traffic circle to receive medical treatment, while a third officer walked out into the crowd with the Good Samaritans to locate and retrieve the woman’s daughter. The pair were subsequently reunited and a report was filed for Robbery. This remains an active investigation, so expect further information to be released in the near future.
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That evening, an officer was on patrol near the South Annex when he spotted two women fighting amongst a large crowd in the 15th Street parking lot. Both women were placed under arrest and charged with Affray.
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Later that night, officers were on foot patrol in the area of Strand Avenue when they were approached by a man who claimed to have been robbed at gunpoint. According to the victim, he had been approached by a group of four other males who had seen his firearm sticking out of his pocket. At that time, the group pointed their own firearm at him and relieved him of his weapon. The victim then pointed the group out to officers, who began to walk over to make contact with the four. As they did so, one of the males ducked behind a vehicle. As an officer walked around the car, he spotted the male with a firearm in his hand. At that time, the officer drew his own service weapon and ordered the man to drop the gun, to which he slowly complied. After patting the group down, officers discovered a firearm on another of the suspects, who claimed that he had stolen it from his father. During the course of the investigation, the suspect that claimed to have his father’s gun was charged with Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime, Pointing a Firearm at Another and Armed Robbery. The suspect who hid behind the car was charged with Armed Robbery. The other two suspects were released.
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While officers were still on scene of the Armed Robbery, Chatham County Sheriff’s Deputies, who had been working security at the Tybee Island Pier and Pavilion, reported that a crowd of people were in the process of destroying a Tybee Island Police truck parked near the South Annex.
As officers arrived on scene, they found several people dancing and bouncing on the vehicle, causing significant damage to the hood, roof and antenna. After officers pulled the group off the truck, several members of a nearby crowd began to hurl bottles and other objects they could get their hands on at officers. At that time, a Chatham County Sheriff’s Deputy began to deploy Pepperball, scattering the crowd in the direction of 15th Street.
Moments later, one of our officers near 15th reported that the crowd was now actively damaging his vehicle. At that time officers of TIPD, Chatham County Sheriff’s Deputies and Troopers of the Georgia State Patrol responded to assist. Once on scene, our officers joined Chatham County in deploying Pepperball, pushing the crowd towards Butler Avenue. In response, someone in the crowd fired a gunshot. Undeterred, the group of officers, deputies and Troopers charged towards the crowd and effectively dispersed them without the need of further force. At that time time, many of the party goers departed the area.
A short time later, officers were in the area of Butler Avenue when they noticed a crowd of people gathered near the intersection of Tybrisa and Strand Avenue. While taking a closer look, the officers realized that the crowd consisted of several hundred people gathered around a large speaker that had been placed atop a nearby wall. As the officers watched, the crowd became increasingly disorderly, with several members climbing up to dance and bounce on top of nearby vehicles.
At that time, officers of the Tybee Island Police Department and Chatham County Sheriff’s Office formed a line around a patrol vehicle and walked down the street while repeatedly giving the order to “disperse”. The crowd complied without the need for further force, effectively bringing an end to the busy weekend.
Arrests
1) Disorderly Conduct
Obstruction of Law Enforcement
2) Obscured or Missing License Plate
Suspended Registration
No License on Person
DUI (Less Safe)
3) Disorderly Conduct
4) Possession of a Controlled Substance
Possession of Drug Related Objects
Non-Local Warrant
5) Disorderly Conduct
6) Criminal Trespass
7) Speeding
Driving While License Suspended
8) Non-Local Warrant
9) Wrong Way on a One Way
Driving While License Suspended
10) Theft by Receiving (Felony)
Non-Local Warrant
11) Disorderly Conduct
12) Theft by Receiving (Felony)
13) Affray
14) Affray
15) Loitering or Prowling
Criminal Trespass
Obstruction of Law Enforcement
16) Laying Drag
Reckless Driving
Fleeing and Attempting to Elude
Driving While License Suspended
Aggravated Assault
Theft by Receiving (Felony)
Poss. of Firearm by Convicted Felon
Poss. of Firearm During Crime
17) Seatbelt Violation
No License on Person
Open Container
DUI (Less Safe)
18) Reckless Conduct
Discharging a Firearm in City Limits
19) Driving While License Suspended
DUI
20) DUI (Drugs)
21) Affray
22) DUI (Less Safe)
23) Disorderly Conduct
24) Armed Robbery
Poss. of Firearm During Crime
Pointing Firearm at Another
25) Affray
26) Obstructing Law Enforcement
Citations
Failure to Purchase Tag in 7 Days: 1
Obscured or Missing License Plate: 1
Removing/Affixing Tag to Misrepresent: 1
Expired Registration: 6
Driving While License Suspended: 4
No License on Person: 2
No Insurance: 2
Improper Use of Turn Lane: 1
Suspended Registration: 4
Too Fast For Conditions: 2
Speeding: 11
Impeding Traffic Flow: 1
Failure to Obey Traffic Control Device: 7
Failure to Exercise Due Care: 1
“Hands Free” Violation: 4
Laying Drag: 3
Driving on Closed Roadway: 1
Reckless Driving: 1
DUI: 1
DUI (Less Safe): 1
Fleeing and Attempting to Elude: 1
Improper Passing: 1
Wrong Way on a One Way: 3
Following Too Closely: 1
Driving Within a Median: 1
Failure to Stop at Stop Sign: 1
Windshield Violation: 1
Seatbelt Violation: 1
Misc.
Stolen Vehicles Recovered: 1
Stolen Firearms Recovered: 2
Stolen Wallets Recovered: 1
Calls for Service: 529
Sun (4/16): 7,386 (ON) / 9,275 (OFF)
Mon (4/17): 6,580 (ON) / 6,796 (OFF)
Tues (4/18): 6,574 (ON) / 6,582 (OFF)
Wed (4/19): 7,135 (ON) / 7,118 (OFF)
Thurs (4/20): 7,602 (ON) / 7,358 (OFF)
Fri (4/21): 10,501 (ON) / 9,428 (OFF)
Sat (4/22): 11,565 (ON) / 10,093 (OFF)
Sun (4/23): 9,577 (ON) / 11,723 (OFF)
Vehicles Coming Onto and Leaving Tybee Island
Pet on the Beach: 9
Smoking on the Beach: 19
Glass on the Beach: 23
Disturbing Dune Vegetation: 6
Littering: 14
Sand Bar Violation: 3
Motorized Vehicle on the Beach: 1
Dog at Large: 1