On Monday, January 30th, one of our officers was on patrol in the area of Highway 80 when he spotted a vehicle failing to maintain its lane. After stopping the vehicle, the officer was able to smell an odor similar to that of an alcoholic drink emitting from within. As the officer spoke with the driver, an emergency call came into our dispatch center in reference to a fire at a local restaurant. At that time, other officers responded to the restaurant and learned from staff members there that there had never been a fire. During the course of the subsequent investigation, officers learned that the driver’s license was suspended. He was then placed under arrest and charged with Failure to Maintain Lane and Driving While License Suspended. They ALSO learned that the passenger in the vehicle had called in the false report of a fire in an effort to divert officers away from the traffic stop. She was then placed under arrest and charged with Unlawful Conduct During a 911 Call.

The following day, one of our officers was on patrol in the area of Butler Avenue when he watched a vehicle suddenly slam on its brakes and make a quick right tun. The vehicle then came to a stop just before striking a nearby fence. As the officer approached the vehicle to investigate further, the driver stepped out to meet him. When asked about her erratic driving, the woman informed the officer that she had been fighting with her passenger. During the course of the conversation, the officer was able to smell an odor similar to that of an alcoholic drink coming from her breath. When asked, the woman admitted to drinking “two shots” approximately four hours prior. During the course of the investigation, the officer found additional evidence to suggest that the woman had been operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. She was then placed under arrest and charged with Driving Under the Influence (Less Safe).

On Thursday, February 2nd, officers responded to the beach in reference to a report of a man assaulting a child. Upon their arrival, officers learned that the child in question was on a field trip. While speaking with our team, a school chaperone stated that the child had been chasing a sea gull, when a man approached and cursed the child out before knocking a hat off of the child’s head. After being given the opportunity, the school declined to pursue criminal charges. When asked about his side of the story, the man admitted to knocking the hat off of the child’s head but stated that he did so because the child was harassing the bird. Given the serious nature of the situation, officers placed the man under arrest and charged him with Disorderly Conduct.

Also on Thursday, officers responded to the area of Fisherman’s Walk, in reference to a report of vandalism. While speaking with our team, witnesses stated that they had been waiting to use the restroom at Fisherman’s Walk when they heard both a male and female voice come from within. As they listened, the witnesses were also able to hear a “metallic clicking” sound, similar to someone shaking spray paint cans. When the witnesses knocked on the bathroom door, a male and female quickly exited and began to walk down the beach. As they did so, the witnesses were able to smell a strong odor of spray paint coming from the bathroom and noticed fresh graffiti covering the walls. At that time, the witnesses caught up to the male and female and snapped a couple of pictures of the pair, which they forwarded to the Tybee Island Police Department. Those photos, along with photos of the damage, were posted onto our Facebook account in hopes that our online community can help identify those responsible.

Just before 6PM on Saturday, February 4th, officers responded to the area of Highway 80 and Jones Avenue in reference to a motor vehicle crash. Upon their arrival, officers learned that the at-fault vehicle had been traveling westbound on Highway 80, when it struck another car which was parked and unoccupied on the side of the road. The impact of the crash caused the at-fault vehicle to come to rest on top of the parked car, leaning against a nearby telephone pole. While talking with the at-fault driver, officers noticed that her eyes were red and that she slurred her words as she spoke. They also noticed that there was an odor similar to that of an alcoholic drink emitting from her breath. During the course of the subsequent investigation, our team found additional evidence to suggest that the woman had been operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. She was then placed under arrest and charged with Failure to Maintain Lane, Driving While License Suspended and Driving Under the Influence.