Madison Police Department
    • On July 9 a shoplifting complaint was filed at an Eatonton Road department store after a woman reported that a middle aged woman took a Glade plug-up refill (Hawaiian Breeze) and a Hawaiian Mist DG Home Oil warmer and an aerosol can of air freshener. According to reports the woman arrived at the store accompanied by a man in a blue SUV. The woman was wearing gray shorts and an orange shirt. Value of the items is $8.65.
    • On June 29 a burglar complaint was filed at a Bramblewood Drive location after a woman reported that someone had entered her bedroom and removed  two pink and blue Apple Ipods, a silver Ipod, an Acer laptop computer, a TracFone, A Sony Cybershot camera and a .410 shotgun. Value of the items taken is $2,195.
    • On July 8 a fraud complaint was filed at an East Jefferson Street location after a man reported that someone had used his checking account number to pay a Direct TV bill and a cell phone insurance bill. The man said he had not authorized either charge. A total of $165.25 was deducted from the account.
    On July 8 a larceny from auto complaint was filed at a Micha Way location after a woman reported that someone had taken her Coach purse from her unlocked vehicle. The woman reported that the purse contained $150 cash, EBT cards, a driver’s license,   Wal -Mart cards. Social Security cards and other documents.
    • On July 8 a fraud complaint was filed at an Eatonton Road pharmacy after a woman reported that another woman had transferred her prescription to a Wal Mart in Covington and then picked up the prescription on July 1. The complainant said the suspect had earlier asked her if she had any prescription medication and that she had transferred prescriptions in the past without the complainant’s knowledge.
    • On July 4 a larceny from mail complaint was filed at a South Main Street location after an officer observed mail scattered on North Main Street from High Street to Madison Drug. The mail belonged entirely to a South Main Street credit bureau. The mail was returned to a drop box at the credit bureau by the officer. Reports state that some of the mail was opened. On July 5 the credit bureau reported that someone had taken the mail from the drop box. Further investigation revealed that a number of opened envelopes were missing check payments to the credit bureau.
    • On July 4 a shoplifting complaint was filed at an Eatonton Road department store after a woman reported that a man took two 12 packs of Coke from an outside display area, jumped in a white Lexus and left the area. The woman retrieved the tag number from the Lexus and officers are currently investigating the theft.
    • On July 4 a burglary complaint was filed at a Bramblewood Drive location after a man reported that someone had kicked in the back door to his residence and removed a .22 caliber rifle and $655 cash. Reports state that the man’s bed had been tossed. Total loss in the burglary is $755.
    On July 10 a dog bite complaint was filed at a Four Lakes Drive location after a man reported that he had been bitten by one of four dogs running loose in the neighborhood. Reports state that the complainant recognized the dogs as belonging to a neighbor but when he went to the neighbor’s house to inform him that the dogs were running loose he failed to make contact. An officer reported that while he was speaking with the complainant another man pulled into the driveway and after he exited his vehicle he was then bitten by one of the four dogs. The officer reported that the dogs then came at him in an aggressive manner but did not bite. The officer and an animal control officer were able to drive the dogs back into a fenced area and they were secured. The animal control officer left the area and the officer reported that the dogs escaped again. This time, reports state, the dogs owner exited the house and secured the dogs inside the house.

Morgan County Sheriff’s Office
    • On July 11 a theft by taking complaint was filed at a Sandy Creek Road, Rutledge location after a man reported that someone had taken more than 250 feet of copper wiring. Reports state that the man said his dog woke him up during the night  and he turned on outside lights to investigate. The man said he saw three or four men gathered around his well house. When he left the house to investigate the man said the men fled into the woods. The complainant said the men had gathered around a well pump as if to steal it and that the wire had been removed.
    • On July 10 a simple battery complaint was filed at a Hightower Road, Rutledge, location after a woman reported that her step-father allegedly pushed her down onto the ground.
    According to reports, a deputy responded to the location and was told by the woman that while talking with her step-father, who the woman said was intoxicated, the discussion escalated regarding the number of animals the woman had brought onto the property, which she rents. The woman said the man then pushed her to the ground. Deputies spoke with the man who, reports state, displayed a “general degree of hostility.”
    • On July 11 William Ricky Eberhart, 44, Madison, was arrested and charged with battery, cruelty to children in the third degree, interference with government property, obstructing or hindering law enforcement and terroristic threats and acts.
    According to reports, Eberhart had become angry at a woman who had found a locust in the driveway and identified the locust. Reports state that Eberhart disagreed and became argumentative so the woman left the house and went to a neighbors.
    The woman said when she returned the house was locked and she had to force her way inside. While inside she attempted to get a pillow and blanket, reports state, at which point Eberhart allegedly jumped on her and struck her repeatedly on the head and face.
    A 15-year-old male in the residence attempted to stop Eberhart from striking the woman, reports state. At one point in the incident the woman was struck in the nose with a kitchen utensil and her nose was broken.
    The woman said she walked out onto the porch and lost consciousness but was revived by the 15-year-old who took her to a neighbors’ house for help. Reports state that during his arrest Eberhart was combative with deputies and during transport to the detention center he allegedly damaged the rear of a patrol car by striking his head against the vehicle’s window and cage.
    He also allegedly kicked the cage and window with his feet and refused to exit the car while at the Morgan County Detention Center. The woman was transported to Athens Regional Medical Center for treatment.
    • On July 5 a theft by taking complaint was filed at a Eugene Lane location after a woman reported that someone had removed three rings from her house during a family July 4 gathering.
    • On July 8 a theft by taking complaint was filed at a Greensboro Road location after a man reported that someone had entered his daughter’s property and dismantled an air conditioning unit for it’s copper and removed copper tubing from under the house. Estimated loss is $1,000.
    • On July 7 a criminal damage to property, theft by taking and burglary complaint was filed at the New Enon Baptist Church, Godfrey Road, after a man reported that someone had entered the church and removed a Line 6 guitar amplifier, a Peavy 700 bass amplifier head unit, Peavy public address head unit and a Peavy cordless microphone.
    Also, cash was taken . A back door to the church had pry marks on it as did the door to the pastor’s office.
    • On July 4 a disorderly conduct complaint was filed at a Hayes Street location after a man reported that he went to the Hayes Street location and was threatened by a man with a knife.
    The man who allegedly had the knife told police that the complainant had come to the Hayes Street  location, they had argued, the man had left but he returned with  a baseball bat. Both men said they did not want either men on their property.

Printed in the July 14, 2011 edition