The following are highlights of incidents that were handled by the Baxley Police Department over the past several weeks.
On July 6 at approximately 1:37 am, officers answered an alarm call to the Chevron Food Mart. On arrival, officers saw that the back door was busted out. The building was secured and a key holder notified. Upon arrival of the key holder it was reported that a quantity of Newport and Marlboro cigarettes and several packs of White Owl cigarillos were missing. The area was canvased but no one was found in the area of the burglary.
On July 6 at approximately 1:00 pm, officers answered a call to Wal-Mart in reference to a theft. On arrival, officers met with the LPC officers who told them that they had identified a person from an earlier theft. After a brief investigation, Jame Ingram, age 20 of Baxley was charged with one count of theft by taking in connection with this incident.
On July 10 at approximately 9:04 am, officers answered a call to assist the EMS unit at an Elderwood Apartment in reference to a welfare check. On arrival, it was discovered that the tenant Olen Gaskin, age 58 of Baxley, had died sometime during the night. The coroner was contacted an arrived shortly where the deceased was released to him.
UPDATE: On July 12, the department was notified by the Portsmith Police Department that they had recovered a vehicle that was reported missing from Baxley. The vehicle, a 1999 Volve S70 was reported missing from an East Parker Street address back on October 20 2014. Portsmith authorities stated that they had arrested a Rick Jackson Jr. from Baxley in connection with this incident.
On July 13 at approximately 8:13 am, officers answered a call to Spell Street address in reference to a burglary. On arrival, the resident told officers that persons unknown had come to his residence and removed two A/C window units, a Husky brand pole saw, and a Husky brand weed eater. After a short investigation, Joshua Roddenberry, age 25, was charged with one count of burglary in the first degree in connection with this incident.
On July 13 at approximately 9:00 am, officers met with a resident at an Ash Street address in reference to a theft. The resident told officers that, while she was gone, person(s) unknown entered her home and stole a bucket containing approximately $300 to $400 in change.
On July 14 at approximately 1:20 pm, officers met with a complainant at the police department in regards to him having been robbed. The complainant told officers that he was riding down an area of West Allen Street when he was confronted by two black males who wanted a ride. The complainant gave them a ride to a location, at which time one of the males pulled a gun and robbed him of an undetermined amount of money.
On July 15 at approximately 11:18 am, officers met with a complainant at a local grocery store in reference to a theft of mislaid property. On arrival, the complainant told officers that, while she was shopping, she’d laid her wallet in her buggy and forgotten it. In just a few minutes, she realized what she’d done and returned to retrieve it, but found it gone. After an investigation, Angela Thomas, age 51 of Baxley, was arrested in connection with this incident and charged with one count of theft of lost/mislaid property.
On July 15 at approximately 2:05 pm, officers met with a complainant at the Washboard Laundromat in reference to a theft. On arrival, the complainant told officers that person(s) unknown had broken into three coin-operated machines and removed money from them. After an investigation, Oscar Jackson, age 44 of Baxley, was arrested in connection with this incident and charged with one count each of burglary in the second degree, criminal damage to property in the second degree, theft by taking and possession of tools for commission of a crime.
On July 15 at approximately 4:50 pm, officers met with a complainant at Wal-Mart in reference to a theft. On arrival, the complainant told officers that while checking out, she laid her cell phone down on the counter and left. When she realized she had left it, she went back to find it gone. The missing phone is described as a Galaxy 4, silver, black, and blue in color.
On July 16 at approximately 1:03 pm, officers met with a clerk at a local convenience store in reference to a theft. On arrival, the clerk told officers that a person had entered the business and grabbed a stack of lottery tickets off the counter before fleeing on foot. Investigation led to the arrest of Deborah McKinnon, age 34, of Winter Haven Florida on charges of theft by taking and lottery fraud. Also arrested was Robert Griffin age 24 on charges of theft by taking, theft by deception, and lottery fraud.
On July 18, at approximately 9:32 am, officers met with a city worker at the City Water Park in reference to found property. The worker told officers that he discovered several bags containing items of men’s clothing and tools inside the women’s restroom area but was unable to locate the owner of them. The bags were taken to the police department where they were placed into evidence for safekeeping. If anyone has misplaced these items and wishes to claim them, please contact the police department.
On July 20 at approximately 1:22 pm, officers met with a complainant at Wal-Mart in reference to an animal cruelty incident. The complainant told officers that she had observed a small dog inside a blue Honda Pilot for approximately 20 minutes without any sign of the owner. She told officers that she was concerned about the welfare of the dog due to heat and that it was drenched in sweat and appeared to be about to go into shock. The dog was taken into protective custody. Officers noted that the head index at the time of the incident was 108 degrees. The dog was released to another family member after it was confirmed to be okay. Charged in connection with this incident was Luz Berruquin, age 27 of Baxley, on one count of cruelty to animals.
On July 25 at approximately 5:30 pm, officers met with another complainant at Wal-Mart in reference to another animal cruelty incident. The complainant told officers that she’d observed two dogs in a parked car for a long period of time without access to food or water. The dogs were released from the car. Officers noted that the heat index at the time was 109 degrees. The dogs were later released to other family members. Charged in connection with this incident was Jacqueline Cruz, age 46, of a Hialeah Florida address on one count of cruelty to animals.
On July 27 at approximately 1:17 pm, officers answered a call to a local diner in reference to a theft. The complainant told officers that person(s) unknown had removed his bike while he was inside eating. After a brief investigation, Gregory Byrd, age 47 of Baxley, was arrested in connection with this incident.
On July 27 at approximately 2:47 pm, officers met with a clerk at a local convenience store in reference to a forgery. On arrival, the clerk told officers that they had taken in a check in the amount of $2000 and later discovered that it was fraudulent. After an investigation and reviewing surveillance footage, Rodriques Moore, age 28 of Baxley, was charged with one count of forgery in the first degree in connection with this incident.
Chief Godfrey would like to ask anyone who has any knowledge of these of any other crimes to please contact the Baxley Police Department, the Appling County Sheriff’s Office or the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.