An officer responded to the Tybee Island Police Department in reference to a possible theft.

While speaking with our team, the victim stated that his bicycle had been stolen from underneath his house sometime during the night.

A report was filed, and the victim was provided with information for follow-up purposes. Several days later, the victim emailed the police department to let us know he had found his bike.

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Officers responded to an address on 5th Avenue in reference to found property.

While speaking with our team, the caller stated that they found a firearm which had apparently been left behind by the previous tenant. After taking custody of the gun, officers confirmed that it wasn’t reported stolen and secured it in our evidence room for safekeeping.

A report was filed, and no further action was taken during that time.

An officer responded to the Tybee Island Police Department in reference to a possible theft.

While speaking with our team, the victim stated that someone had taken two barstools and a camping chair from the side of her front yard. The victim then provided officers with a video from a doorbell camera, which showed an individual with a flashlight take the items and load them into the back of a nearby.

Our Public Information Officer subsequently posted that video to Facebook, asking for any help in getting the items returned to the rightful owner. As a result, we received a tip which led to their successful recovery and return.

As always, we greatly appreciate the help and support that we receive from our social media community!

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Officers responded to a local nursing home in reference to a fight in the parking lot. During the course of the investigation, our team learned that two members of the kitchen staff had gotten into an argument and shoving match. Neither wished to pursue charges.

A report was filed, and no further action was taken during that time.

One of our officers stopped a vehicle for failing to maintain its lane.

While talking to the teenaged driver, the officer noticed that his eyes were red and that he slurred his words as he spoke. There was also an odor similar to that of an alcoholic beverage on his breath, and a Modelo box behind the driver’s seat.

When asked if he would be willing to participate in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, the young man replied that his dad had always told him “Not to blow”. He was then placed under arrest, and charged with Driving Under the Influence.

Officers responded to the Tybee Island Police Department in reference to Terroristic Threats.

While speaking with our team, the victim stated that he was approached an older man in front of his place of employment. According to the victim, the man tried to instigate a fight, making statements to the effect of, “I’m going to beat your ass, I’ve been following you for a while” and, “I’ll kill you”.

The victim stated that while he didn’t know the man, he believes the encounter may stem from a previous “road rage” incident that he was involved with.

A report was filed, and the victim was provided with information for follow-up.

Officers responded to the area of 14th and Lovell in reference to damage to property.

While speaking with our team, the caller stated that she had parked her vehicle on L:ovell Avenue early that morning. When she returned in the afternoon, she noticed significant dents and paint damage on the driver’s side doors.

A report was filed, and the caller was provided with information for follow-up.

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An officer responded to the Tybee Island Police Department in reference to a package theft.

While speaking with our team, the victim stated that she had ordered a Galaxy 7 smartwatch, and that it was due to be delivered by FedEx. That afternoon, she received a notification that the package had been delivered and that someone had signed for receipt. Further investigation revealed that whoever signed had misspelled the victim’s name, and the package was not on her doorstep.

A report was filed, and the victim was provided with information for follow-up.

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One of our officers stopped a vehicle for a window tint violation.

While talking to the driver, the officer noticed the distinct odor of marijuana wafting through the open window. When asked, both the driver and passenger denied smoking that day.

During the course of a subsequent search based on probable cause, officers discovered more than an ounce of marijuana, and three firearms to include a 9mm, a revolver, and an AR style weapon. At the time of its discovery, the AR was loaded with a 60 round drum magazine, and there was an additional 45 round magazine lying nearby. Both the driver and the passenger were then placed under arrest. The driver was charged with a Window Tint Violation, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime. The passenger was charged with Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime.

Just after 7:30AM, officers responded to the sharp curve where Butler Avenue becomes Highway 80.

While speaking with our team, a witness stated that a dark in color vehicle had been traveling north on Butler, when it struck a metal barricade. The vehicle did not stop and was last seen heading westbound on Highway 80. A report was filed, and no further action was taken during that time.

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Officers responded to a local convenience store in reference to an argument between the occupants of a vehicle. During the course of the investigation, officers learned that the argument happened because the driver and front seat passenger wanted to leave the island, but the rear seat passenger did not. At that time officers mediated the situation and allowed them to leave the scene.

A moment later the vehicle stopped again when the rear seat passenger began to strike the driver in the head. Upon inspection, officers noted that the strikes had resulted in a small cut on the driver’s face. The rear seat passenger was then placed under arrest and charged with Disorderly Conduct.

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One of our officers stopped a vehicle for a window tint violation. A check of the vehicle’s license plate revealed that it also had no insurance, and the registration was suspended.

While talking to the driver, the officer was able to smell the distinct odor of marijuana wafting through his open window. During the course of a subsequent search based on probable cause, officers found a bag of marijuana, two THC vape pens, and a 9mm handgun which was reported stolen out of Statesboro.

While speaking with officers, one of the back seat passengers claimed ownership of the drugs and stated that the other backseat passenger had been in possession of the gun.

At that time, the driver was cited for a Window Tint Violation, no Insurance, and Suspended Registration. Passenger #1 was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance. Passenger #2 was arrested and charged with Theft by Receiving. The vehicle was towed from the scene.

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A Trooper with the Georgia State Patrol stopped a vehicle for a window tint violation. Our officers responded to provide backup.

During the course of the investigation, law enforcement officers found more than four ounces of marijuana, a digital scale, and a 9mm handgun in the backseat area. When asked, both backseat passengers denied ownership of the items. As a result, both were placed under arrest and charged with Possession of Marijuana more than an ounce (Felony), and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime.

At approximately 7:45PM on Saturday, April 19, 2025, officers of the Tybee Island Police Department, along with their partner agencies, responded to the 1000 block of Lovell Avenue in reference to a possible shooting.

Once on scene, officers found the victim, Matthew Gilbride, lying on the ground and suffering from a single gunshot wound. His brother, suspect Ashton Gilbride, was also nearby. At that time, officers attempted life-saving measures on the victim until turning him over to the care of emergency medical personnel. The victim was then transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

While speaking with witnesses, detectives learned that the Gilbride brothers had reportedly been involved in an altercation in the middle of the street. As things began to escalate, Ashton Gilbride allegedly produced a handgun and shot his brother Matthew. A firearm was recovered at the scene. During the investigation, Ashton Gilbride was placed under arrest and charged with Murder and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony.

Both Ashton and Matthew Gilbride were residents of Tybee, and the shooting is believed to be the result of a family dispute. The police have not found any evidence linking the crime to the Orange Crush event, which was also taking place on the island at the time.

This is still an ongoing investigation, and no further information will be released at this time.

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While on foot patrol, officers spotted several subjects climbing on top of a tow truck, which had been brought in to support law enforcement operations. A large crowd had also begun to surround the vehicle.

At that time, officers launched several Pepperballs at the ground near the crowd, effectively causing them to disperse. The truck did not appear to be damaged during the incident.

A concerned citizen came to the Tybee Island Police Department to turn in a key they had found. An officer took custody of the key and placed it into our property room for safekeeping.

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An officer responded to a local gas station in reference to found property. Upon arrival, he was provided with a wallet and two driver’s licenses which had been left at the store over the weekend. The items were then transported back to the Tybee Island Police Department, where they were placed into our property room for safekeeping.