In the early morning hours of Monday, August 14th, one of our officers spotted several vehicles traveling down Butler Avenue in a “caravan”. As the officer watched, he noticed that one of the vehicles had a defective headlight, and that the other light was set to “high beam”. As he attempted to get behind the vehicle with the defective light, another vehicle in the caravan sped up to close the distance, in an obvious attempt to block the officer from merging. The officer then activated his emergency lights and sirens, and successfully performed the traffic stop. At that time, the attempted cop-blocker also pulled over, got out of their vehicle, and filmed the officer for the remainder of the stop.

While speaking with the driver with the defective light, the officer was able to smell the odor of marijuana emitting from within the vehicle. After having the passengers exit, officers learned that one of the men had an active warrant from another jurisdiction. A subsequent search of the car revealed marijuana and a digital scale. All of these items were taken into police custody and placed into our evidence room to await destruction.

The driver was cited for Following too Closely, Defective Headlight and his improper use of “high beams”. The wanted passenger was placed under arrest and transported to the Chatham County Detention Center.

Officers responded to Highway 80 in reference to a Hit and Run involving a bicycle. While speaking with officers, a witness stated that a vehicle was attempting to turn onto Highway 80 from a residential neighborhood when it struck the rear of a passing bicycle. The vehicle then left the scene without stopping. The bicyclist was treated by first responders and declined to be transported to a hospital.

Officers responded to a report of damage to property. While speaking with our team, the complainant stated that someone had carved the word “bullshit” into a historical marker detailing the August 17, 1960, arrest of eleven students for protesting what was then, a “Whites Only” beach. According to the complainant, repairs are estimated at approximately $1,500.

_____________________________

That same day, officers responded to a report of a Hit and Run. Using the information provided by witnesses, an officer located the suspect vehicle in the area of 15th Street and Butler Avenue. While speaking with the driver, the officer spotted several open containers of alcohol in the vehicle. He also noticed that she slurred her words as she spoke. When asked, the driver refused to participate in any field sobriety testing. she was then placed under arrest and charged with Failure to Maintain Lane, Duty to Report an Accident, Expired Registration, No Insurance, and DUI (Less Safe).

______________________________

That night, officers responded to the area of the 19th Street crossover in reference to a golf cart reportedly driving in and out of the dunes. While checking the area, officers spotted the cart driving down the beach without any lights on. When told to stop, the driver refused, putting away into the darkness. The cart was later discovered abandoned on the sand. The registered owner of the cart would eventually call to report it stolen but declined to pursue the matter any further.

Just after 6AM, one of our officers was on patrol when he spotted a vehicle with extremely dark window tint. After stopping the vehicle, the officer immediately smelled the odor of marijuana emitting from within. A search of the vehicle based on that odor revealed a small amount of marijuana, a gun and a bag of white powder that field tested positive for Cocaine. During the course of the investigation, the officer learned that the driver was a convicted felon. He was then placed under arrest and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (Cocaine), Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

____________________________

Later that day, officers responded to a local souvenir shop in reference to a report of disorderly patrons. Upon their arrival, officers learned that the suspects had attempted to steal approximately 47 items from the store, which totaled up to an estimated $559.00 worth of merchandise. During the course of the investigation, officers learned that one of the suspects had an active warrant, and the other was in possession of a crystal substance that field tested positive for Methamphetamine. Both were placed under arrest and transported to the Chatham County Detention Center.

_____________________________

Shortly thereafter, officers responded to the area of Eagles Nest Drive in reference to a theft. While speaking with our team, the victim stated that someone had stolen a Ukranian flag and a political sign from her property.

_____________________________

That evening, one of our officers was on patrol in the area of Highway 80, when a vehicle passed him without its headlights activated. As the officer watched, the vehicle changed lanes without signaling, and then failed to maintain its lane as it passed other traffic on the left. At that time, the officer activated his emergency lights and conducted a traffic stop just before the Lazaretto Creek Bridge. While speaking with the driver, an officer smelled the odor of marijuana emitting from within the vehicle. A search of the vehicle based on this odor revealed both marijuana and an empty Vodka bottle. During the course of the subsequent investigation, officers found additional evidence to suggest that the teenaged driver had been operating the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or marijuana. He wasthen placed under arrest and charged with Failure to Use Headligths After Dark, Failure to Maintain Lane and DUI (Less Safe).

One of our officers was on patrol in the area of Butler Avenue, when he checked a vehicle’s speed at 47 mph in the 30 mph zone. After stopping the vehicle, the officer noticed that the driver’s eyes were bloodshot and that he slurred his words as he spoke. During the course of the subsequent investigation, the officer found additional evidence to suggest that the man had been operating the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. He was then placed under arrest and charged with Speeding, Driving While License Suspended and DUI.

_____________________________

While on patrol in the area of Butler Avenue, one of our officers spotted a vehicle running the red light as it turned left onto 14th Street. At that time the officer activated emergency lights and pulled the vehicle over in the parking lot of the Citgo gas station. As the suspect vehicle came to a stop, three men jumped out and ran from the scene on foot. The initial officer then broadcast a description and direction of travel, while remaining on scene with the driver.

During the course of the investigation, the officer smelled an odor of marijuana emitting from within the vehicle. A subsequent search based on that odor would reveal marijuana, THC wax, two firearms, several magazines of ammunition, a scale, grinder and multiple blank credit cards. All of these items were taken as evidence, and the driver was placed under arrest for Possession of Marijuana, Possession of THC Wax, Possession of a Drug Related Object and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime.

During this same time, other officers established a perimeter and began to search nearby neighborhoods for any sign of the three suspects who ran. A description of the men was posted on the Tybee Island Police Department Facebook page, and the public was asked to contact our department if they were spotted. Over the course of the next couple of hours, we received several tips that the suspects were hiding in yards of nearby houses. As officers located each, the men would lead us on brief foot pursuits through yards and over fences, which ultimately ended in all three being arrested. They were then charged with Obstruction of Law Enforcment and Loitering and Prowling, before being transported to the Chatham County Detention Center.