From STAFF REPORTS
CORDELE — A Cordele man already free on probation for marijuana charges made against him in Houston County had a similar case made against him Wednesday by a Cordele Police Department officer.
Capt. Tommy Jackson said he was on routine patrol just before 3:30 p.m. Wednesday when he met an oncoming car traveling at a high rate of speed as it approached the 10th Street-24th Avenue intersection.
When he saw that the vehicle did not make a complete stop before making a right turn, Jackson made a U-turn and pulled over the vehicle driver subsequently identified as Stephen Craig Godwin Jr., 30, of 1011 Fourth Ave. E.
During a routine check of Godwin’s driver’s license, Jackson said he learned of the probation warrant out for the subject’s arrest. Sgt. Jeremy Taylor then made a search of the car’s area around the driver’s seat and reportedly found a small bag of marijuana and a pipe used to smoke that drug.
After bonding out on local charges of possession of marijuana, stop sign violation and apprehension of a wanted person, Godwin was released to authorities in Perry.
In other activity on Wednesday or early Thursday, officers:
— Investigated the theft of an $8,000 automobile.
The car owner told Lt. Marvin Milner that at about 8 p.m. she parked her black 2002 Ford Taurus outside a friend’s home in the 700 block of Westtown Ave. When she went back outside, the vehicle was missing. She said she has the only known set of keys to the vehicle that authorities statewide are seeking.
— Responded to a shoplifting complaint filed by employees of Fred’s Dollar Store.
Cpl. Martinez said she was told the woman whose first name was provided to her was caught trying to take two bottles of perfume. When confronted and told police would be called if she did not pay for them, she returned to the cash register area, placed the items on the counter and walked away.
A search of the area for the suspect proved fruitless, but the case is being turned over for follow-up investigation.
— Released no details of a case involving interference with government property, disorderly or indecent conduct and obstruction of an officer in the performance of his duties.
Sgt. Charles Dennard was listed as the investigating officer in the incident reported from the Morningside Homes area.
— Received a property damage report filed by a local motorist.
Cpl. Christina Martinez said the complainant told her she was driving in the 11th Street-Fourth Avenue area when an unknown object struck the rear passenger side window.
The investigating officer’s report said there was glass inside the woman’s car and on the ground where the damage occurred. The driver said she didn’t see anyone prior to hearing the window shatter.
— Detained Clemmie Gaston Jr., 50, of Titusville, Fla., on a probation violation warrant issued by Dougherty County authorities.
Cpl. Kristan Herrick learned Gaston was wanted when making a routine background check of the subject after stopping him just before 6 p.m. in the 200 block of Fourth Ave. E. for not wearing a seat belt.
Gaston posted a cash bond on the local charge before being taken to the Crisp County Law Enforcement Center to await extradition to Dougherty County.
