The Tybee Island Police Department has recently received several complaints about people sleeping overnight in local parks. In response, one of our officers was conducting extra patrol in the area of Jaycee Park during the early morning hours of Sunday, July 3rd. During this time, he was approached by a man who stepped out of the darkness and asked the officer why he was shining his flashlight around, “Like a roach”. The officer immediately recognized the man as someone who our agency has had multiple encounters with and who has been previously warned about sleeping in public areas. The officer then once again explained to the man that he wasn’t supposed to be in the park at that time of morning due to the fact that the hours were clearly posted and it was closed. When asked for his identifying information, the man attempted to walk off. As the officer moved to place the man under arrest, he tensed his arms and refused to place his hands behind his back. As such, the officer was forced to pull the man’s arms behind his back and place him in handcuffs. He was subsequently charged with Loitering or Prowling and Obstruction.

Later that same morning, another officer was on patrol when he spotted a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction on Tybrisa Street. After stopping the vehicle, the officer learned that the driver’s license was suspended. she was subsequently placed under arrest and charged with Wrong Way on a One Way and Driving While License Suspended.

Sunday evening, an officer was on patrol in the area of Butler Avenue when he spotted a vehicle fail to maintain it’s lane several times. After stopping the vehicle, the officer noticed that the driver’s eyes were red and watery, and that there was a distinct smell similar to that of an alcoholic drink emitting from within the vehicle. While speaking with the officer, the driver admitted to having 4 beers before getting behind the wheel. 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 Failure to Maintain Lane, Failure to Signal While Changing Lanes and DUI.

On Monday, July 4th, one of our officers was on patrol in the area of Butler Avenue when a sports car changed lanes directly in front of them, causing the officer to brake suddenly in order to avoid a collision. At that time, the officer’s patrol car was struck from behind by a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV). After all of the vehicles were pulled to the side of the road, another officer responded to the scene in order to conduct the investigation. While speaking with the driver of the SUV, the officer noticed that he could smell a distinct odor similar to that of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his person. When asked, the driver admitted to drinking alcohol “a couple of hours before”. It was also noted that the SUV contained multiple passengers, including several small children. During the course of the subsequent investigation, the officer found additional evidence to suggest that the man had been operating the SUV while under the influence of alcohol. He was subsequently placed under arrest and charged with Following Too Closely, DUI and Endangering a Child While DUI. As the driver was transported to jail, officers loaded his passengers into two different patrol cars and gave them a courtesy ride to their motel in Savannah to ensure they got there safely. The teenaged driver of the sports car was cited for Distracted Driving, Improper Lane Change and Violation of a Class D License. No one was injured during the course of this incident.

Just after 3PM, on Wednesday, July 6th, one of our officers attempted to stop a motorcycle for traveling 69 miles per hour in a 30 mile per hour speed zone. At that time, the motorcyclist fled from the traffic stop, running a red light at Highway 80 and Campbell Avenue in the process. As the motorcycle entered the intersection, it was struck by another vehicle, ejecting both the rider and his female passenger from the bike. The rider then got back to his feet and ran from the scene. As first responders and emergency medical personnel tended to the female passenger, officers searched the surrounding area for the rider. During this time, our detectives were able to positively identify him as Chad Cooley.

Shortly thereafter, Cooley called the Tybee Island Police Department and attempted to report the motorcycle as stolen. Using that cell phone number, a Tybee Island Crisis Negotiator made contact with Cooley and learned that he was in the process of returning to a residence on nearby Whitmarsh Island. The negotiator and Cooley then made an agreement for officers to meet him there. Officers with the Tybee Island Police Department relayed this information to their counterparts with the Chatham County Police Department, who responded to the residence and located Cooley as promised.

Cooley was then placed under arrest and booked into custody on the charges of Speeding, Reckless Driving, Fleeing and Attempting to Elude (Felony), Hit and Run, Obstruction and False Report of a Crime.

The female passenger was treated by emergency medical personnel and released from the scene.