Cordele — From STAFF REPORTS



CORDELE – Police have charged a 36-year-old local man with aggravated stalking and battery in connection with a Tuesday night attack on the boyfriend of his ex-wife.

Sgt. Charles Dennard said he arrested Stevie Sanders shortly after 8 p.m. after investigation allegedly revealed he entered his former spouse’s Emerald Apartments residence without consent for the purpose of intimidating the occupants.

Once inside he reportedly struck David Smith above the right eye with his fist. A criminal history revealed a previous stalking charge made against Sanders on Jan. 29.

In other activity from Tuesday until early Thursday, officers:

—Investigated a strong armed robbery that occurred around 1 a.m. Wednesday in Sunset Homes on 22nd Ave. W.

Sgt. Charles Pheil said two victims told him they were robbed at gunpoint by two black males who were in the company of six others.

One of the victims had a razor blade pocket knife that apparently was used to inflict a cut across the cheek under his eye and a hairbrush stolen. The other was robbed of a black hat and a Verizon cell phone.

— Responded to a robbery by sudden snatching incident reported shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday by an employee of a local jewelry store.

Lt. Lloyd Anderson said he was told a young black male inquired about looking at some necklaces shortly after entering King Tut at 401 16th Ave. E..

When the clerk approached a case containing herringbone chains, the subject asked if he could try on one. After being allowed to do so, he placed the $1,300 piece of jewelry around his neck, looked in the mirror, turned around, said “Thank you” and ran out the door.

The subject was wearing a white T-shirt and socks as well as black shorts, shoes and hat. A copy of the store’s video has been placed into evidence as investigation continues.

— Learned that a man angry about the possibility of losing custody of his children has been threatening Department of Family and Children Services caseworkers by telephone.

Sgt., Robert Robert Greene said one of the DFACS employees accused the offender, whose identity is known , of making threats to “ruin your life including your family, your house and your job just like you ruined mine.”

Two other workers told the officer the offender had been harassing them by telephone with threats to sue them. Another said she was called at her home in Perry by the subject who during the conversation was “extremely rude and agitated.”

Investigation of the incidents continues.

— Responded to a request to investigate a theft by conversion complaint filed by management of Taco Bell.

Lt. Frank Wise said he was told that recently-discovered money shortages there amounted to several hundred dollars. The case has been referred to the detective division.

— Investigated four theft complaints.

A resident of the 300 block of 23rd Ave. E. told Sgt. Robert Montgomery just before 5 p.m. Wednesday that someone had stolen a riding lawn mower and a 12-foot section of chain link fence from her back yard. No value was listed.

A woman who had rented a storage unit at Cordele Mini-Storage told Sgt. Wayne Hubbard just before 6 p.m. Wednesday that she had just discovered a lock cut off her unit. Numerous items reportedly had been stolen.

A resident of 500 block of 15th Ave. W. told Lt. Lloyd Anderson that three of her boyfriend’s five old batteries that had been left on the back of his truck had been stolen. They were valued at a total of $30.

Two flower pots valued at $10 each were reported stolen from a home in the 1200 block of S. Hickory St., according to Lt. Anderson.

— Said someone had attempted to break into the city’s central purchasing location at 609 11th Ave. E.

Lt. Anderson’s report showed that someone had tried to enter the shop area by attempting to remove sheet metal from the north side of the building but did not gain entry.

— Went to a Pateville Estates residence to remove a snake from the kitchen, according to a report filed by Lt. Carrie Lull.

— Made a routine traffic stop that resulted in the arrest of Clemie Robert Gaston, 70, after it was learned he was wanted by Houston County authorities on an outstanding theft by conversion warrant.

— Cited Joe Lee Harris, 57, for contempt of court.

Sgt. Hubbard made the arrest in the 700 block of 17th Ave. W. shortly after 5:30 a.m. Thursday. Police had earlier been called to Harris’ home at 9 p.m. Wednesday in reference to a trespasser, but said he was so highly intoxicated they were unable to understand his remarks.