On Sunday, 09/12/2021, officers responded to a report of a fight at Nickie’s Bar. While speaking with our team, employees of the bar pointed out several people who they claimed had been acting rudely towards the staff since entering the establishment. As a result of their behavior, the bartender refused to serve the group. Angry at being denied service, a female member of the group threw the contents of an alcoholic drink on the bartender, before hurling a beer bottle as well. That bottle reportedly struck the bartender in the face, causing a visible injury to her lip. After speaking with the bartender, officers met with the suspect in order to get her side of the story. During the course of their conversation, a male member of the group repeatedly interfered with the investigation by wrapping his arms around the suspect and trying to pull her away from our officers. The man was warned several times to walk away but refused to do so. After continuing to interfere, he was placed under arrest. During this same time, the female suspect told officers that she believed her group was denied service because the “bar staff were racist” and admitted to throwing a bottle “in the bartender’s direction”, but did not know if it hit her. After subsequently placing the suspect under arrest, officers learned that she was only 17 years old. She was then charged with Underage Possession of Alcohol and Aggravated Assault before being transferred to the Chatham County Detention Center.
Later that same date, officers responded to the area of the beach near the south jetties in reference to a report of people throwing an injured dog into the ocean. Upon their arrival, officers discovered a man and woman standing near a small puppy that was obviously injured and curled up in the sand. During the course of the investigation, officers learned that the dog had become injured during an “accident” approximately a week before. According to the woman, she had “iced” the injury but did not have the money to take the animal to a veterinarian. At that time, officers issued the couple a citation for Cruelty to Animals under Tybee Island City Ordinance and took the dog into protective custody. The puppy was then transported for emergency medical treatment in Savannah. Once there, a veterinarian conducted a thorough examination of the dog and determined that the extent of the injuries was so severe that the only recourse would be euthanasia. With this new information, detectives secured warrants for Aggravated Cruelty to Animals (Felony) and our team is currently working with outside agencies in an effort to locate and arrest the suspect.
Also on 09/12/2021, officers responded to the area of Alley 3 in reference to a golf cart stuck on the beach. Upon their arrival, officers found the cart abandoned and noted that the suspect(s) had unsuccessfully attempted to use beach chairs belonging to nearby residences for leverage. The golf cart was later reported stolen by the owner, which made it the latest in a string of several golf cart thefts which have been reported over the past couple of months.
On Wednesday, 09/15/2021, officers responded to the area of Cedarwood in reference to a report of a vehicle driving through the neighborhood in a reckless manner. While checking the area, an officer found the vehicle parked in front of a residence and observed teenagers inside of a house which was under renovation next door. While speaking with officers, the teenagers claimed that they “didn’t know” they weren’t supposed to be inside of the vacant house. During this time, a 16 year old admitted to being the driver of the vehicle that was the subject of the original call. During the course of the subsequent investigation, officers found evidence that he had been operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. He was subsequently placed under arrest and charged with Driving Under the Influence (Under 21). While conducting a follow-up investigation, our detectives were able to compare body cam footage from this incident to previously acquired surveillance video, which linked these suspects to recent the theft of golf carts on the island. All four teenagers were subsequently placed under arrest and charged with Theft by Receiving Stolen Property.
Arrests: 11
Citations: 14
Calls for Service: 96
Officer Initiated: 85
Sunday (9/12): 7,918 (ON) / 9,130 (OFF)
Monday (9/13): 6,326 (ON) / 6,594 (OFF)
Tuesday (9/14): 6,436 (ON) / 6,426 (OFF)
Wednesday (9/15): 6,217 (ON) / 6,171 (OFF)
Thursday (9/16): 5,842 (ON) / 5,535 (OFF)
Friday (9/17): 7,666 (ON) / 6,951 (ON)
Saturday (9/18): 9,395 (ON) / 9,092 (OFF)
Dog on the Beach: 5
Cat on the Beach: 1
Glass on the Beach: 18
Littering: 2
Dog at Large: 2
Noise Complaint: 2