One of our officers stopped a vehicle for traveling 48 mph in a 35-mph speed zone. While talking to the driver, the officer noticed that his eyes were bloodshot and that there was a smell similar to an alcoholic drink surrounding him. When asked, the man admitted to having “two beers” sometime earlier. During the course of the subsequent investigation, the officer found additional evidence to suggest that the man had been operating the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. He was then placed under arrest and charged with Speeding and DUI (Less Safe).

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While at Tybee Island Municipal Court, officers learned that one of the attendees had an active warrant through another jurisdiction. The man was then placed under arrest and transported to the Chatham County Detention Center to answer for his non-local warrant.

One of our officers stopped a vehicle for speeding. During the course of the investigation, the officer learned that the drover had an active warrant through another jurisdiction. He was then placed under arrest and transported to the Chatham County Detention Center to answer for his non-local warrant.

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Last week we told you about a local bar being burglarized, during which over $1,100 was stolen. During the course of the investigation, officers were able to obtain camera footage from several different angles, allowing them to identify a former employee of the bar as a potential suspect. After enlisting the help of the Savannah Police Department, our team confronted the suspect near her home in Savannah and placed her under arrest for Burglary.

Officers responded to a local nursing home in reference to a possible assault. During the course of the investigation, our team learned that a patient had become angry after being told he couldn’t smoke and reportedly punched a staff member in the face. The patient was then placed under arrest and charged with Simple Battery.

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At approximately 7:11 PM on Friday, January 10, 2025, officers of the Tybee Island Police Department responded to an address on Estill Avenue in reference to a report of shots fired. Once on scene, officers spoke with a man who stated he saw headlights pull into an area between his home and that of a neighbor, just before the shots rang out. While canvassing the area, officers found several empty shell casings from a handgun, but did not immediately locate any impact points.

The following day, the man contacted the Tybee Island Police Department and asked them to return to the scene for a follow-up. After their arrival, the man pointed out several bullet holes in his garage doors, which had been rolled up while the officers were on scene the night before. Based on information provided by the victim, and the Tybee Island Police Department’s FLOCK license plate reader system, officers were able to quickly identify the victim’s ex-girlfriend, Lauren Francis, as a potential suspect.

On Monday, January 13, 2025, detectives from the Tybee Island Police Department conducted an interview with Lauren Francis, after which she was placed under arrest and charged with Reckless Conduct, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime, Discharging a Firearm Near a Highway or Street, and Criminal Damage to Property in the Second Degree.

On Thursday, January 16, 2025, detectives served a search warrant at Lauren Francis’ home in unincorporated Chatham County, during which she was placed under arrest for Aggravated Assault under the Family Violence Act.

This remains an active investigation, and no further information will be released at this time.

As we move forward, the Tybee Island Police Department wants you to know that if you, or a loved one are currently involved in an abusive relationship, help is available through services such as SAFE Shelter, or your local law enforcement agency.

One of our officers stopped a vehicle for a defective taillight. While speaking with the driver, the officer noticed that both of the vehicle’s occupants were visibly nervous. As such, he requested a K9 officer to respond to the scene. During the course of a free air sniff around the vehicle, Tybee Island K9 Tosca gave a positive alert for the presence of illicit substances. During the course of a subsequent search based on probable cause, officers located a glass pipe and two bags of a crystal-like substance, which field tested positive for Methamphetamine. A third bag contained a white powder, which field tested positive for Cocaine. When asked who the items belonged to, the passenger claimed ownership. She was then placed under arrest, and charged with Possession of Drug Related Objects, and Possession of a Controlled Substance.