The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office reported the following incidents:
Theft: On July 19, deputy Joe Williams was dispatched to a home on Loch Lomond Circle, Watkinsville, where a 27-year-old man reported someone entered his vehicle, but he couldn’t find anything missing.
Damage: On July 19, a man reported that someone damaged a tree on his property earlier in the month by hitting it with a vehicle. A juvenile was identified as the culprit.
Fraud: On July 19, an Oconee State Bank employee reported that a deposit from a local business included a counterfeit $100 bill.
Damage: On July 19, a Sun Shadow Lane, Bogart, resident reported that a rental company representative damaged a countertop, a glass in a John Deere clock and a storm door and scratched the flooring while removing a rented refrigerator. the complainant was told it was a civil matter.
Complaint: On July 19, a woman alleged that her nephew had molested her two daughters and her niece about five years ago. the woman said she heard rumors of abuse two months ago after one of the girls told a neighbor. She wanted an investigator to check the matter.
Arrests: On July 20, two deputies were dispatched to a domestic dispute at a Watson Springs Road home. Ashley M. Duncan, 26, said she was “sick and tired” of her boyfriend “putting his hands” on her. She said Daniel Lee Hale, 31, had put his hands around her throat during the dispute, and a deputy found red marks on her swollen neck. Hale said she had slapped him in the face several times. He also had a swollen face with injuries. Both were charged with simple battery.
Theft: On July 20, deputy David Burchett was dispatched to White Oak Drive, where a woman said a portable DVD player, her diamond engagement ring and a WIC voucher were stolen from her car. There was no sign of forced entry.
Complaint: On July 20, a 23-year-old man said his ex-girlfriend possibly hacked into his Facebook account and changed his password. the complainant said he confronted his 20-year-old ex, and she denied it. A few days later, however, she gave him a new password.
Burglary: On July 20, a woman reported someone broke into her home on Pete Dickens Road, Bogart, and stole a blue-gray tricycle and a 3-foot-tall birdhouse off the porch. Some jewelry, a jar of change, 17 dolls from a display case, two Native American dolls and an Eskimo doll were stolen from inside. the dolls were all valued at $1,095.
Burglary: On July 20, deputies were called to Bishop Baptist Church in Bishop after the pastor realized someone broke into his office and stole $10. two doors inside the church were damaged to gain entry, but deputies found no signs of forced entry on the exterior doors.
Burglary: On July 20, a deputy was dispatched to Maple Lane after a man who had checked his neighbor’s property found someone possibly broke into a shed there. A padlock had been removed.
Dispute: On July 20, a deputy was dispatched to Sikes Road, Statham. A father and son had a dispute after the son had his license suspended. the son said his father pushed him, while the father said he offered to help his son, who then attacked him.
Theft: On July 20, deputy David Burchett was dispatched to Walmart on Epps Bridge Parkway, where a man tried to purchase three gift cards with a stolen credit card. the man’s car was described as a black Honda Accord with large chrome wheels and tinted windows. As Burchett pulled into the store’s parking lot, he spotted the car leaving at a high rate of speed. He could tell a woman was driving, and the man was in the passenger seat. Burchett turned on his blue lights and the car stopped, but the man jumped out and ran in the direction of Lowe’s. Burchett chased after but couldn’t keep up when the man crossed Epps Bridge Parkway. When Burchett returned to Walmart, the woman also had fled the scene. A search was conducted, but the two could not be found.
Complaint: On July 21, the landlord of a Pine Ridge Court property said a tenant became abusive and called him names when he refused to renew the tenant’s lease. the responding deputy warned the tenant about harassing the landlord.
Burglary: On July 21, deputy David Burchett was dispatched to the Apex service station on Macon Highway after a burglar alarm was activated. Burchett found two windows broken, but no one apparently entered the station.
Theft: On July 22, a deputy was dispatched to Townside place, Bishop, where someone broke into a pickup during the night and stole an amplifier mounted to the back seat.
Burglary: On July 23, a deputy was dispatched to Westminister Christian Academy on New High Shoals Road, Watkinsville, where someone got into the gym after breaking out a window. A Dell laptop computer was stolen from an office. A concession stand on an athletic field was broken into, and items were thrown onto the field. the burglars also spray-painted messages in white on the grass in front of the gym and a school office, and marked a car in the parking lot. Sheriff’s Investigator Guy Brown was called to the scene.
Fraud: On July 23, a 42-year-old Bishop woman reported that an unidentified caller told her she had won a $20 Walmart gift card and $50 gas card. the caller asked her to provide her credit card information to receive the items, but she refused.
Theft: On July 22, a Union Church Road resident reported that someone stole a 3-ton Carrier air conditioner from his home.
Fraud: On July 23, a 50-year-old Bogart woman reported selling a James Avery gold bracelet to a Baltimore resident for $1,500 in an Internet transaction. the buyer agreed to pay $830 of the total via PayPal, and the seller mailed the bracelet only to learn later that the remaining balance would not be paid. the woman said she learned that FedEx delivered the item.
Theft: On July 23, a 27-year-old Malcom Bridge Road resident reported that someone stole his air conditioner from outside his home.
Arrests: On July 23, a deputy was dispatched to Walmart on Epps Bridge Parkway, where security personnel had two people in custody on suspicion of shoplifting. Aleisha L. Freeman, 29, of Helican Springs Road, Hull, was charged with taking $8.44 worth of items from the store, while John David Kerns, 25, of Virginia Lane, Hull, was charged with taking $60 in items.
Fraud: On July 22, a Duck Foot Court, Bogart, resident reported that someone used her Visa credit card for a $684 purchase made overseas.
Arrest: On July 23, a deputy was dispatched to Wire Bridge Road, where a husband and wife were embroiled in an argument that turned physical. Roger. C. Millford, 60, was charged with assault.
Arrest: On July 23, a deputy was dispatched to Rite Aid pharmacy at Butler’s Crossing shopping center on Epps Bridge Parkway, after an employee reported that a shoplifter was leaving the store in a red Lincoln Town Car. the deputy took William Anthony Payne, 28, of Cemetery Road, Bishop, into custody for an outstanding warrant from Watkinsville police, who had charged Payne with obstruction in an April 24 incident. At the jail, a bottle of Dexatrim diet pills was found in his underwear. Payne was charged with shoplifting.
Complaint: On July 23, a deputy was dispatched to a White Oak Drive home after a worker for D.A. Technologies spotted what he thought might be a human backbone. the deputy saw the bones and called for an investigator and the county coroner. the latter determined the bones were those of an animal.
Stalking: On July 21, a 45-year-old Oconee County woman showed a deputy an unsigned note she found in her mailbox. the deputy read the note and determined someone had been surveilling her. although the note was not threatening, it did contain personal information about the woman.
Theft: On July 24, deputy Joe Williams was dispatched to a McNutt Creek Road home where a 40-year-old man reported a weed trimmer stolen. the man said he had called the sheriff’s office about 2:30 a.m. to report a prowler. He said he heard a motorcycle pull up close to his home, then shut off. the motorcycle left before a deputy arrived, and the complainant didn’t realize the weed trimmer was missing until after daybreak.
Dispute: On July 24, deputy Joe Williams was dispatched to handle a dispute between a woman and her mother over a will that is in probate and being contested by the mother, uncle and others. the woman was afraid her mother was trying to remove everything of value from the house.
Burglary: On July 24, deputy Joe Williams was dispatched to a Keeneland Drive, Watkinsville, home, which someone broke into and stole a Rolex watch, some earrings and a necklace. There was no forced entry.
Dispute: On July 25, an employee at an Epps Bridge Parkway restaurant reported that her ex-husband tried to speak with her there about their child. the manager told the ex to leave, and he obliged.
Damage: On July 25, a 28-year-old woman reported that someone pelted her vehicle with eggs while it was parked for two days in the parking lot of Oconee County High School.
Theft: On July 26, a 38-year-old man reported that someone stole $15 cash and a debit card from his vehicle on Price Mill Road, Bishop.
Theft: On July 26, a deputy was dispatched to Mayne Mill Road in the Farmington community, after someone stole a 1995 Wells Cargo trailer loaded with a Bobcat mower, a leaf blower, tools and a washer and dryer.
Theft: On July 26, someone entered three vehicles on Ash Road, Bishop, and stole an Apple iPod and two flashlights, all valued at $235.
Burglary: On July 26, a 29-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman reported that someone stole items from a storage shed on Park Drive.
Arrest: On July 26, a deputy was dispatched to a disturbance on Rogers Road, Bogart. He was told that Jerry E. Toole was on the front porch of a man’s home, trying to knock down the door. When the deputy arrived, Toole was leaning against the door, so he was asked what he was doing. Slurring his words as he spoke, Toole said he didn’t know, but that the man inside tried to kill him. the resident said he was inside his home peeling pears and visiting with two guests when Toole showed up causing problems. He said when Toole walked outside, he locked the door to keep him out and Toole began beating on the door. Toole, 57, of Rogers Road was arrested for disorderly conduct.
The Watkinsville Police Department reported the following incidents:
Arrest: On July 20, police stopped a 1989 Oldsmobile after observing it weaving on North Main Street. Mary Jo Gardner, 57, of Charity Lane was charged with DUI.
Arrest: On July 25, police were summoned to a domestic dispute on Hight Drive. Wanda Gail Leggett, 51, was charged with battery.
The Oconee County fire Department responded to the following incidents:
July 19: Alarm activation at Prince Avenue Church, 2131 Ruth Jackson Road; medical emergencies on Mars Hill and Robinhood roads, North Burson Avenue, Bogart, and Lois Lane; person stuck in elevator at Highland Hills, Jennings Mill Road; auto wreck with extrication at Lane Creek Road/Moore’s Ford Road.
July 20: Medical emergencies at U.S. Highway 441/Hog Mountain Road, North Main Street, Watkinsville; alarm activations at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1080 Julian Drive.
July 21: Medical emergencies on Greensboro Highway, Industrial and Mimosa drives, Dowdy, Colham Ferry roads and Monroe Highway; tree down on Atlanta Highway/Pete Dickens Road.
July 22: Auto wrecks at Mars Hill Road/Long Road, Greensboro Highway/Kirkland Road, U.S. Highway 78/Pete Dickens Road and Georgia Highway 316/Jimmie Daniel Road; medical emergency on Forest Road.
July 23: Medical emergencies on Greensboro Highway, Sikes Road; alarm activation at Athens Academy; brush fire at 1280 Old Salem Road; vehicle fire at 364 Anthony Lane.
July 24: Medical emergencies on Antioch Church Road, Briar Lakes Road, Jefferson Avenue, Harris Shoals Park Drive and Adams Road.
July 25: Person stuck in elevator at Spring Hill Suites, Daniells Bridge Road; tree down on Barnett Shoals Road/Bob Godfrey Road; medical emergencies on Calls Creek and Hight drives, Cherokee Circle, Westwood Avenue, McRees Mill and Treadwell Bridge Road and U.S. Highway 78.
Originally published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Wednesday, August 04, 2010