Madison Police Department
    • On February 3 a forgery of checks complaint was filed at a West Jefferson Street location after a woman reported that someone had used her banking information and name to produce a fraudulent check. The $29.95 check written to a Nevada company had the woman’s name and address but a Connecticut address.
    • On January 30 a burglary complaint was filed at an Eatonton Road location after a woman reported that someone had entered a storage unit and removed a Stihl weed eater.
    • On February 6 a damage to property complaint was filed at an Eatonton Road motel after a man reported that when he went to clean a room he noticed large amounts of white wax on the floor and around a Jacuzzi tub. The man said he was concerned that the wax would damage the tub.
    • On February 1 a recovered auto report was filed at an Eatonton Road truck stop after an officer was contacted by a South Carolina trucking firm and told to meet a truck driver at the truck stop. The trucking firm reported that the employee had recently quit and was bringing a 2006 Kenworth truck to the truck stop so the officer could secure the truck and trailer. The firm said it would send a driver on February 2 to pick up the truck. The officer ran the truck driver’s license and determined that the driver was wanted by South Carolina officials for an outstanding warrant. The driver was then arrested.
    • On January 26 a larceny from building complaint was filed at a Commerce Street location after a man reported that someone had entered a storage room and removed a black Honeywell space heater.
    • On January 31 a criminal trespass and larceny complaint was filed at a Fairgrounds Road location after a man reported that someone had entered a fenced area and removed eight catalytic converters from various automobiles. Estimated cost to replace the catalytic converters is $2,400.

Morgan County Sheriff’s Office
    • On January 31 a theft by taking complaint was filed at a Hawkins Avenue location after a man reported that someone had forced entry into a residence he was renovating and cut $20 worth of copper from several electrical outlets.
    • On February 6 a theft by taking complaint was filed at an Apalachee Road location after a man reported that someone had stolen 15 “show birds” from his property. The birds, all chickens, included five Blue Old English, three Black Old English and three Silver Duck Old English. The birds were valued at $320. Reports state that a deputy near the location observed a black 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee leave the area at approximately 5 a.m. The deputy was able to retain a license plate number and has secured a name. Investigation into the thefts continues.
    • On February 5 Chase Graham Jennings, 21, Cummings was arrested and charged with DUI, failure to maintain lane and possession of heroin after a deputy stopped Jennings on Interstate 20 for allegedly weaving. According to reports, the deputy alerted to  “be on the lookout” call for a silver Toyota 4 Runner. The deputy reported observing the vehicle at the gas pumps of a truck stop. After Jennings’ vehicle was stopped the deputy reported finding a spoon with burnt residue inside the vehicle. During processing at the Morgan County Detention Center consequent to his arrest, a deputy locate a small plastic bag in Jennings pocket contained suspected heroin.
    • On February 5 a harassment complaint was filed at a Monticello Road location after a man reported that the family of a pregnant woman continues to threaten him and accuse him of being the father of the child. The man said he was going to get a court ordered DNA test to determine if he was the biological father but, reports state, until the tests are done the woman’s family has threatened him with physical harm. The man alleged that the pregnant woman’s sister had told his wife that the complainant “was going to get what was coming to him.”
    • On February 5 a burglary complaint was filed at a Pine Tree Circle location after a man reported that someone had forced entry into his house and removed a Nintendo Wii and Sony Play Station 3 gaming system and four games. The items are valued at $1,000.
    • On February 2 an abandonment of drugs report was filed at a Woodcraft Road location after a man reported that an employee had located a plastic bag of suspected marijuana near a metal hopper. The suspected marijuana was turned over to law enforcement.
    • On February 2 a burglary complaint was filed at a Centennial Road location after a man reported that someone had forced entry into his house and removed more than $5,000 worth of items. Officers noted that an air conditioning unit on a bedroom window had been removed. Missing were jewelry, cash, tools, a Play Station unit, cash, tennis shoes, cologne, a suitcase and a sweater.
    • On January 28 a theft by taking complaint was filed at an East Main Street, Rutledge location after a man reported that someone had taken two concrete statues from his front yard. The statues were a 14” tall UGA Bulldog and a 16” tall rabbit. Value of the statues is approximately $80.
    • On February 1 Justin La Bradford Davis, 19, Madison, was arrested and charged with battery, criminal trespass, false imprisonment, hindering a 911 call and burglary after he allegedly forced entry into a Keencheefoonee Road, Rutledge house and severely beat a woman.  According to reports, Davis allegedly entered the house and took the woman’s cell phone. He allegedly struck her several times and then followed the woman and a man outside the resident and struck the woman again. The woman managed to get back into the residence, reports state, but Davis allegedly kicked open the door and attacked the woman again. The man at the residence ran to get a gardening implement for protection and Davis left the scene. Deputies near the residence later arrested him.
    • On February 1 an accidental gun discharge report was filed at Morgan Memorial Hospital after a 68-year-old man reported that he had shot himself in both legs with a 20-gauge shotgun. The man told officers that he was at his Ponder Pines Road residence and left the residence to shoot at a large gathering of blackbirds in his yard. The man said when he walked out of his garage to shoot the birds they flew away. The man said when he returned to the garage he bumped the barrel of the shotgun on the floor and the gun discharged.

Printed in the February 10, 2011 edition