From STAFF REPORTS



CORDELE —Investigation of burglaries is nothing new for Crisp County Sheriff’s Department deputies. Arresting a female allegedly responsible for such actions is rare, however.

Such was the case, though, on Nov. 10 when in responding to the report of a burglary in progress at a residence in the 2100 block of 10th St. S. Deputy Tommy Kimbrel arrested a 19-year-old woman as she tried to flee the scene.

The officer said when he walked to the front of the house, the offender later identified as Salinda Hamilton, 0f 2002 Eighth St. S., exited the door and took off running. The officer gave chase and arrested her a relatively short distance away.

It was later learned that Hamilton had previously tried to force her way into another residence in the 2100 block of U.S. 41 S.

She subsequently was charged with burglary of the residence she entered, obstruction of an officer in the performance of his duties there and possession of a tool for the commission of a crime at that location.

In addition, Deputy Tom Kelly cited her for criminal attempt to commit burglary and possession of tools for the commission of a crime at the residence she did not actually enter.

In other recent sheriff’s department activity, deputies:

— Filed assorted drug violation charges against two Rebecca men after making a routine traffic stop.

Deputy Ben Sumner was on routine patrol Friday afternoon on Hwy. 300 South when while stopping the driver of a Dodge Dakota for an obscured tag he saw one of the occupants throw an item from the vehicle.

After pulling the vehicle over, Sumner said he detected the odor or suspected marijuana and asked for permission to search the vehicle. Given consent, he said he was told there were some pills and marijuana inside. The former were found in the vehicle’s center console and the latter under the seat.

Subsequently charged with possession of MDMA (ecstasy), possession of marijuana and possession of synthetic drugs were Daniel Harold Lewis, 27, and Samuel Craig Minshew, 20.

— Made a traffic stop that led to the arrest of Roy Edward Crawley, 38, of Ooltewah, Tenn., on charges of misdemeanor and felony obstruction of officers in the performance of their duties.

Crawley, who is wanted in his home state for larceny, was cited after he ran from Deputy Chase McNeese who had pulled over Crawley’s vehicle for a headlight violation on Ga. 401.

Col. Billy Hancock said Crawley eluded officers from 11:55 Friday night to about 11:15 a.m. Saturday before being apprehended as he walked south on U.S. 41 near Arabi. He again took off on foot before Deputy Kelly and Georgia State Patrol Trooper Jason Ellis spotted him in a pond off the roadway. After a brief scuffle, he was taken into custody.

— Received two fraud complaints.

A U.S. 280 E. resident told Investigator Michael Dunnavant on Nov. 10 that someone had used his personal identity to apply for several credit cards that now have outstanding balances.

A Carter Lane resident told Deputy Avery Hillman that a former girlfriend is believed to be responsible for canceling his old bank debit card and obtaining a new one that she had mailed to her current address.

A transaction printout showed that on Friday the 13th the card was used three times — twice in the amount of $301.75 and once for $241.75 — at Wal-Mart, leaving his account with just $10.70 in it. Further investigation has been turned over to the detective division.

— Charged Maria Teresa Alverez, 29, of 273 Allison Rd., with battery after she allegedly made an unprovoked attack on another woman during a Nov. 10 altercation that Deputy Andy Hester said occurred at a Truman St. residence.

— Issued a theft by conversion warrant against Shameka Shontrell Walker, of 610-C Second St. N., after Deputy Avery Hill said he was told she failed to have repairs made to a car extensively damaged in a vandalism case despite receiving a $2,523 payment from an insurance company to do so.

Deputy Juanita Escatel said a warrant for bringing contraband across the guardline at the Law Enforcement Center was issued for Shelly Renae Stillwell, of 4180 Industrial Blvd., in Arabi. A jacket she brought for an inmate was found to have tobacco hidden in the lining.

— Said three vehicles owned by Pavo Enterprises on U.S. 280 W., were entered and ransacked sometime between early October and early November. Deputy Scott Hawkins said he was told nothing apparently was taken from any of them.

— Investigated six theft complaints.

A ranger at Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park told Deputy Kelly that sometime this past weekend a state-owned four-wheeler was stolen. The green 2004 Yamaha Big Bear model is valued at $5,000.

A Weldon Rd. home owner told Deputy Chad Walker that sometime between Nov. 7-15 someone entered her property that is being remodeled and stole five ceiling fans and an air conditioning unit all valued at a total of $500. Entry apparently was gained through an unlocked window.

An employee of Tubby’s Trucking located on Farmers Market Rd. told Deputy Hillman that someone had stolen a $40 jack from behind the seat of her pickup truck.

A resident of Lake Park Dr. told Deputy Chris Dickerson that someone stole two bicycles from his residence. One of them is a blue 10-speed girl’s mountain bike and the other is a small pink girl’s bicycle. Each is valued at $40.

A Hatley Rd. resident told Deputy Chase McNeese someone entered his residence while he was away in late October and early November and stolen a 19-inch laptop computer valued at $1,300.

An employee of Cordele Health and Rehab told Sgt. Avery Hillman that a computer had been taken from an office trailer located behind the nursing home. The name of some suspects was provided the officer.

— Made arrests in connection with shoplifting incidents at Ace Hardware and Peebles.

Deputy Walker said employees of Ace Hardware became suspicious of two white males who left their truck running before entering the store through a side door. While one of the two engaged an employee in conversation about a nail gun, the other was seen leaving with a new pair of boots on his feet. The second subject soon departed. Both then left the area in a pickup truck for which hardware store employees obtained the tag number before calling authorities.

While Walker was gathering information at Ace, Deputies Kelly and Gourley made contact with the offenders on 16th Ave. E. When a pair of new women’s shoes were found in the vehicle, a check was made with Peebles employees who said they were missing such an item and gave a description that fit one of the men who had been at Ace.

As the result of the investigations, Charles Alvin Black, 41, of 343 Fish Hatchery Rd., and Charles Randal Grimes, 20, of 3587 12th Ave. E., were taken into custody. The former has been charged with theft by shoplifting, conspiracy to commit a theft and driving with a suspended license. The latter has been cited for criminal conspiracy, and two counts of theft by shoplifting.

— Took James H. Nelson, 43, of Ashburn into custody after learning he was wanted by Gwinnett County authorities. With the assistance of Turner County authorities, Deputy Keon Sales made the arrest Sunday on U.S. 41 S.