• One of our officers stopped a vehicle for speeding. While speaking with the driver, the officer was able to smell a strong odor similar to that of an alcoholic drink emitting from within the vehicle. During their conversation, the man told the officer that he should "just take him to jail". When asked "why?", the man replied that he had a few beers at a local bar. 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. He was then placed under arrest and charged with Speeding and DUI (Less Safe).

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    Officers responded to a local restaurant in reference to an incident of damage to property. While speaking with our team, restaurant staff stated that a former employee had intentionally broken the back door to the establishment. The man then reportedly walked over to a nearby motel and kicked the glass door to the front office, shattering it as well. Both businesses asked that the man be banned from their respective properties but declined to pursue criminal charges at that time.

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    Officers responded to the North Beach parking lot in reference to reports of a fight involving a hammer. While speaking with our team, witnesses reported seeing a white van pull into the lot and noted that there appeared to be a struggle taking place inside. At that time, the victim exited the van, screaming, followed by another man with a hammer in his hand. According to one witness, the hammer-wielding man was yelling at the victim, but she did not see him actually strike anyone.

    While attempting to gather information from the victim, officers realized that he did not speak English. Utilizing a translator, officers learned that there had been four other men inside of the van, but the victim claimed not to know any of them. Emergency Medical personnel then transported the victim to a local hospital to receive treatment for several injuries to his head and face.

    During the course of a follow-up investigation, officers were able to identify a potential suspect vehicle through the use of the FLOCK camera system.

    A report was filed, and the case was forwarded to investigations.

  • One of our officers stopped a vehicle for speeding. While speaking with the driver, the officer spotted open containers of alcohol in the vehicle. He also learned that the man's license was suspended. The driver was then placed under arrest, and charged with Speeding, Open Container, and Driving While License Suspended.

  • Officers received a report in reference to a stolen bicycle. While speaking with our team, the victim stated that she believed the bike had been stolen from her backyard on Lovell Avenue, sometime between 12:00 and 5:00PM that same day.

    A report was filed, and no further action was taken during that time.

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

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    Officers responded to a local gas station in reference to shoplifting. While speaking with our team, a store employee stated that a young man had taken three "Twisted Teas" and left the store without paying. The employee then provided officers with both, pictures and videos of the suspect. A report was filed, and the case was forwarded to investigations.

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    Officers responded to the area of Tybrisa Street in reference to a man urinating in public. While speaking with officers, witnesses pointed out a man who they stated peed while leaning against a nearby tree, exposing his genitals to at least two children in the process. When asked about the incident, the man initially became irate, before breaking down and crying in front of the officer. During the course of the conversation, there was an odor similar to that of an alcoholic drink coming from his breath, and the man admitted to drinking throughout the day. He was then placed under arrest and charged with Public Drunkenness and Public Indecency.

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    While on patrol, officers were flagged down in reference to a man "causing problems" at a nearby restaurant. While speaking with officers, employees pointed out a man who they claimed had been trying to start fights. As officers approached the man, he began yelling and screaming, prompting one officer to draw his Taser as a precaution. The man then calmed down, informed the officers that he was 20 years old, and admitted to drinking alcohol that day. As a result, he was placed under arrest and charged with Disorderly Conduct.

  • Around 2:30AM, officers responded to a local bar in reference to a subject refusing to leave. While speaking with officers, employees of the bar pointed out a man lying on the floor. According to those employees, after being told that he had to leave, the man laid down on the floor and "played dead". Officers then made several attempts to get the man to stand up, but he continued to lie on the floor with his eyes closed tightly. As one officer removed his handcuffs from their pouch, the man suddenly "woke up" and began to move around. He was then placed under arrest and charged with Disorderly Conduct.

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    Just before 11:00 AM, Tybee Island emergency personnel responded to the area of the Inlet Avenue beach access in reference to a report of swimmers in distress. While speaking with witnesses, Tybee Island police officers learned that two 16-year-olds had been in the water, when their family noticed that they appeared to be struggling against the current. Working with other beachgoers, one family member was able to rescue one of the teens. The other teen was last seen disappearing beneath the water and did not resurface within view.

    Tybee Island Police and Lifeguard personnel enlisted the help of the United States Coast Guard, Chatham County Marine Patrol, Department of Natural Resources, Chatham County Dive Team, and Marine Rescue Squadron to search the area.

    Unfortunately, the Chatham County Police Department's Dive Team recovered the victim's body from the water at 3:28 PM that same day.

    The hearts of the Tybee Island Police Department remain with the victim's family as they attempt to move forward during this extremely difficult time.

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    One of our officers stopped a vehicle for a window tint violation. While speaking with the driver, the officer was able to smell the odor of marijuana emitting from within the vehicle. During the course of a subsequent search based on probable cause, the officer located small amounts of marijuana, and four prescription pills in a clear plastic baggie. Preliminary attempts at identification suggested that the pills were Oxycodone. The driver was then placed under arrest, and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Drugs Not in the Original Container.

  • Officers responded to the area of the 19th Street parking lot in reference to a report of a dog locked in a vehicle. A subsequent check of the temperature inside of the car provided a reading of 101 degrees Fahrenheit. Officers then contacted the Tybee Island Fire Department, who responded on scene and were able to make entry into the vehicle without causing damage. The dog was taken into police custody and transported to the Tybee Island Police Department in order to cool off. The owner later came to TIPD to retrieve the animal and was cited accordingly.

  • Officers responded to a residence on 11th Street in reference to a man trespassing inside of the caller's house. While speaking with our team, the caller stated that she and her friends had returned home to find a strange man sitting on the couch. Believing that he simply wandered into the wrong house, the caller asked the man to leave, but he refused.

    While speaking with the man, officers asked if he had been asked to leave, and he confirmed it to be true. As a result, he was placed under arrest and charged with Criminal Trespass.

Arrests

1) Speeding

DUI (Less Safe)

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2) Speeding

Open Container

Driving While License Suspended

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3) Distribution of Drugs

Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor

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4) Non-Local Warrant

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5) Public Drunkenness

Public Indecency

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6) Simple Battery (FVA)

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7) Battery (FVA)

No Driver’s License

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8) Poss. of a Controlled Substance (Oxycodone)

Drugs Not in the Original Container

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9) Disorderly Conduct

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10) Disorderly Conduct

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11) Public Drunkenness

Simple Battery

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12) Speeding

DUI (Less Safe)

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13) Headlight Requirements

Open Container

DUI (Less Safe)

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14) Criminal Trespass

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15) Obstruction

Citations

Obscured/Missing License Plate: 1

Improper Transfer of Plate: 1

Expired Registration: 2

Driving While License Suspended: 2

No Driver’s License: 2

Expired License: 1

No Insurance: 4

Suspended Registration: 2

Too Fast for Conditions: 1

Speeding: 4

Failure to Obey Traffic Control: 1

Improper Parking/Stopping in Road: 1

Improper Backing: 2

Hands Free Law: 1

Open Container: 2

DUI (Less Safe): 3

Passing on Shoulder: 1

Failure to Maintain Lane: 1

Headlight Requirements: 1

Tag Light Required: 2

Child Safety Seat Violation: 1

Computer Aided Dispatch Entries: 455

Numbers include calls that were dispatched, and incidents initiated by members of TIPD. Click each bar to see the exact number of calls for that day. .

Glass on the Beach: 1

Smoking on the Beach: 1