— From STAFF REPORTS
CORDELE — Would-be thieves were allegedly caught in the act by their intended victims in three incidents Crisp County Sheriff’s Department officers were asked to investigate last week.
Cordarrel Donte Caldwell, 22, of 246 McClendon Rd., was arrested on a theft charge after an Arabi resident arrived home last Thursday afternoon to find the offender’s car backed into his yard with its trunk open.
The complainant told Deputy Al Thompson that upon looking into the trunk he saw some of his property valued at $1,300 and promptly called the sheriff’s department to report the incident.
Deputy Scott Hawkins said he arrested Noah Joseph Salak, 31, of Grand Rapids, Mich., on a theft by taking charge after receiving a report about a suspicious red GMC truck being seen Saturday night in the area of Farmers Market Rd.
The officer located the truck on Watermelon Capital Speedway property where the complainant in the case told him he was missing from nearby Tubbys Trucking two tires mounted on factory rims. The tires valued at $150 were seen in the offender’s vehicle.
Deputy Warren Stowe charged Lee Daniel Grant, 49, of 306 22nd Ave. E., with felony burglary after the owner of Wade Construction Company on U.S. 41 N. blocked in the offender’s vehicle as he tried to leave that location.
While awaiting the arrival of deputies, the business owner allowed the offender to unload an estimated $1,460 worth of miscellaneous metal and engine parts that he had placed into his vehicle before being caught.
No arrests have been made in another theft case reported to Deputy Mike Mitchell who was told two grey Onan 480-volt diesel generators mounted on trailers and valued at $25,000 were stolen between Friday and Sunday from a barn located behind a Sandy Mount Rd. residence
In other activity within the last week, deputies:
— Said a Cordele Police Department officer is the apparent victim of identity theft which resulted in his receiving two billing statements totaling $2,956.60 from Doctors Medical Center in San Pablo, Calif.
Investigator Karla Stowe said a subject using the name of the officer sought treatment at that facility in April 20-21. The complainant said his time cards at work will verify that he was not in California on those dates. The case remains under investigation.
— Investigated two burglaries.
At a Hoover Street residence ,Deputy Mike Mitchell said a door frame was busted to gain entry. A Remington 12-gauge shotgun valued at $300 was stolen.
At a U.S. 41 S. location, a property owner told Deputy Jason Gourley that a Toshiba laptop, a television set, assorted clothing and two pair of shoes were stolen by culprits who also ransacked a bedroom, threw catsup, milk and eggs on the bed and slashed a love seat and chair. The officer was given the name of a suspect.
— Filed violation of compulsory school attendance law charges against Tiffany Crenshaw, 26, of 232 Rockhouse Rd..
School officials told Deputy Tammera Sears one of the offender’s children had missed eight days, been tardy eight days and checked out early twice since school began. Another child has missed 10 days, been tardy seven times and has checked out early twice.
— Charged Willie James Blanks, 26, of a Flint Drive address, with riot in a penal institution after he apparently attacked another inmate on Sept. 28. The assault victim was treated at Crisp Regional Hospital and returned to jail, according to Deputy Cole Eason’s report.
A search of the cell where the altercation took place resulted in several contraband items including a weapon, tobacco and several water bottles being found and seized.
— Made two arrests for simple battery (family violence) and third degree cruelty to children.
Lisa Elaine Powell, 41, of 277 Story Rd., was cited for those offenses as the result of a verbal and physical altercation she had with her daughter.
Deputy Warren Stowe filed the charges after the offender allegedly struck the victim in the back hard enough to leave a handprint observed by the deputy after his arrival on the scene.
William Henry Hitson III, 34, of 2963 Drayton Rd., was charged with those violations after he allegedly became irate with his 13-year-old daughter. Family members said that after yelling at the teen-ager he repeatedly slammed her against a wall, grabbed her by the hair, dragged her across a room and struck her 3-4 times with a belt.
At that point, the girl’s mother said she struck her husband with her fist in an attempt to stop the attack. He then reportedly knocked a mattress off the bed and threw a bottle of baby powder in the floor before going outside where he was located behind a utility shed when deputies arrived on the scene.
— Arrested a Rebecca woman, Jennie Lee Roberts,32, on bad check warrants issued by Barrow County authorities. The offender was taken into custody Deputy Kea Tukes made a traffic stop of her car after observing that several juveniles in it were not in child restraints.
— Picked up Annette Robinson, 33, as a person named on a warrant secured by Cochran authorities. She was taken into custody at a 16th Ave. E. motel as the result of a routine tag check made by Deputy Stowe.
— Charged Terra Shantrell Evans, 35, of Andersonville with violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act after her car was initially stopped for fear she might be in the vehicle against her will.
Deputy Stowe said he was on routine patrol when as he met Evans’ car the driver began turning the vehicle’s headlights on an off. Stowe turned around and pulled the car over and questioned the driver about her well-being.
While doing so, he said he observed a bulge underneath in the shirt and waistband area of her clothing and also saw a pill bottle in her pocket. The woman told the deputy he could not search or check her and became very belligerent and nervous while refusing to answer questions.
When a passenger in the vehicle tried to open the door, Stowe sought back-up from Sgt. Hillman. The woman continued to refuse being searched and would not remove items from her pocket until being told she would be tased if she did not comply.
She then willingly submitted the contents of her pocket but not the pill bottle before being told one last time she must do so. After finally complying with the request, Evans surrendered the bottle that Stowe said contained what appeared to be crack cocaine.
— Said vandals slashed a camping tent that an Evergreen St. resident had set up in his yard for a few months. Deputy Thompson said the tent was damaged between 10 p.m. Thursday and 8;30 a.m. Friday.
— Responded to meter tampering incidents at Pateville Rd., Hwy. 41 South and 17th Avenue East residences and meter thefts at Dorris Street and 28th Avenue West locations.
A Crisp County Power Commission employee told Deputy Avery Hillman electrical service at the Pateville Rd. location had been illegally restored after being cut off on Sept. 21. Investigation continues.
A similar complaint was made to Deputy Chase McNeese about the 41 South dwelling and to Deputy Andrew Decoff about the 17th Avenue East home.
No service thefts were involved at the Dorris Street and 28th Ave. homes. However, the electrical meters valued at a combined total of about $150 were stolen, according to reports filed by Deputies Tukes and Thompson.
— Said a local automobile dealership was the victim of an apparent fraud case involving two vehicles valued at $18,500.
An employee of Rooney Bowen Chevrolet told Deputy Rodney Allen the vehicles were sold to “Atlanta Automotive Wholesale Group” reportedly located at an Atlanta Highway address in Athens. The check submitted as payment was returned by the bank and authorities in Athens said there is no such company located at the given address. Investigation continues.
