On Sunday, March 5th, officers responded to a section of historic Fort Screven in reference to a Burglary in progress. According to the caller, several people were actively attempting to kick the door in. Upon their arrival, our team spotted four teenagers attempting to leave the scene. While speaking with officers, one of the teens admitted to kicking the door once, while the group claimed they simply wanted to explore the fort. During the course of the investigation, officers made contact with the owner of the property, who asked that all four teens be permanently banned. After receiving their Criminal Trespass notices, all four were sent on their way.

Later that same day, officers responded to a local restaurant in reference to a report of Theft of Servies. While speaking with our team, employees stated that two women had consumed $62 worth of food and alcohol before fleeing the restaurant without paying. Officers checked the area, but were unable to locate anyone matching the suspects’ descriptions.

On Tuesday, March 7th, one of our officers was on patrol in the area of Butler Avenue when he spotted a woman driving down the street while looking at her cell phone. After stopping the vehicle, the officer learned that the woman did not have a driver’s license. She was subsequently placed under arrest and charged with a “Hands Free” violation and Driving Without a License.

Also on Tuesday, officers spoke to a woman who believed she had been “Roofied” the day before. According to the woman, while she was standing in a local bar, she noticed that a couple standing next to her were behaving “strangely” and that they randomly apologized to her for no apparent reason. As the bartender placed the woman’s shot on the counter, she turned around to talk to other patrons, taking her eyes off of the drink in the process. After turning back and taking the shot, she began to feel “really drunk” and “not normal”. After the woman reunited with her family, they expressed concern that she was on drugs due to her unusual behavior. Please note that this incident can occur in any social setting where drinks are served. As such, all readers are highly encouraged to keep their eyes on their drinks or to leave them in the custody of a trusted friend whenever they’re partaking in public.

On Wednesday, March 8th, one of our officers was on patrol in the area of Highway 80 when he spotted a vehicle with a defective brake light. After conducting a traffic stop, the officer learned that the driver had a suspended license AND a warrant for his arrest through an outside agency. The man was then placed under arrest and charged with No Brake Light and Driving While License Suspended. Ultimately the other agency decided that they did not wish to place a hold on the man for their warrant, and he was subsequently released.

On Friday, March 10th, officers responded to the American Legion in reference to a possible drunk driver. Upon their arrival, our team learned that the vehicle in question had backed into an unoccupied vehicle before parking in the lot. While speaking with our officers, a witness colorfully described the driver as being “drunker than shit”. After walking over to where the vehicle in question was parked, officers were able to smell an odor similar to that of an alcoholic drink emitting from within. During the course of their conversation with the driver, however, he denied ever drinking, and when confronted about the odor he insisted that their “sense of smell was off”. The driver also adamantly denied striking any other cars in the lot, and repeatedly refused instructions to exit his vehicle in order to speak with officers further. At that time, officers were forced to pull the man from his vehicle and place him under arrest DUI and Obstruction.

During the evening hours of Saturday, March 11th, one of our officers was on patrol in the area of Highway 80 when he spotted a vehicle with a headlight out. As the officer turned around and caught up to the vehicle, he also noticed that it was failing to maintain its lane. After stopping the vehicle, the officer noticed an odor similar to that of an alcoholic drink emitting from within. When asked, the driver also admitted to drinking earlier that evening. During the course of the 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 and DUI.