At approximately 10:00 AM on Monday, December 30, 2024, Tybee Police and Fire personnel responded to a report of a fully involved house fire at 1514 Miller Avenue.

Once on scene, firefighters battled the blaze while police performed crowd and traffic control. During the course of the incident, Chatham Fire and EMS arrived to provide mutual aid. While the residence sustained significant damage, no people or animals were injured as a result of the fire.

While waiting for the flames to be extinguished, police officers took note of an unusual debris field, which stretched across Miller Avenue into nearby yards. As a result, a State Arson Investigator was contacted and responded to the scene. Once the fire was out, the Arson investigator walked through the remains of the residence, taking note of several charred guns along the way. During the course of the subsequent investigation, it was discovered that the occupant of the house was a convicted felon. As a result, he was placed under arrest and charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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Officers responded to an address on Jones Avenue in reference to a possible Burglary. While speaking with our team, the owner of the property stated that sometime during the prior two weeks, the back door of the residence had been forced open. He did note, however, that nothing appeared to be missing from the residence, and there was no one inside.

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

One of our officers attempted to perform a traffic stop on a vehicle for failing to maintain its lane. As the vehicle pulled to a stop, however, it collided with the rear of a parked truck.

While speaking with the driver, the officer noticed that his eyes were bloodshot and that he had a “dazed” look on his face. When confronted about the reason for the stop, the man stated that he had been “distracted” and that he was “texting someone”.

During the course of the subsequent investigation, the officer found evidence to suggest that the man had been operating the vehicle while under the influence. He was then placed under arrest and charged with Failure to Maintain Lane, “Hands Free” Violation, No License on Person, Expired Registration, and DUI (Less Safe).

One of our officers responded to a local restaurant in reference to a possible theft. While speaking with our team, the caller stated that his wife’s purse had been stolen from her bicycle. According to the victim, the purse contained $00 in cash, multiple credit cards, her driver’s license and flip flops. A report was filed, and the victim was given a courtesy ride home due to her shoes being stolen.

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Shortly after 1:00AM, one of our officers stopped a vehicle for driving on Butler Avenue without headlights.

While talking to the driver, the officer noticed that his eyes were red and watery. There was also a strong odor of marijuana wafting through his open window. When asked about the smell, the man admitted to smoking inside of the vehicle approximately a hour before. 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 and/or drugs. He was then placed under arrest and charged with Failure to Use Headlights After Dark, Open Container, and DUI (Combo - Less Safe).

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Officers responded to a local motel in reference to a suspicious person. While speaking with our team, the victim stated that after getting off work at the motel, she walked out to the parking lot and found a stranger sleeping inside of her vehicle. Upon inspection, officers confirmed that there was a woman asleep in the passenger seat. After waking the woman, were able to smell a strong odor similar to that of an alcoholic drink emitting from her and noticed that she was visibly intoxicated. She was then placed under arrest and charged with Public Drunkenness and Disorderly Conduct.

A woman came to the Tybee Island Police Department in reference to a possible theft. While speaking with our team, the victim stated that she believes someone hacked her checking account, stealing over $3,000 in the process. A report was filed, and the victim was provided information for follow-up.

Officers responded to a local bar in reference to a Burglary. While speaking with our team, employees stated that the alarm had been tripped earlier that morning, but was silenced before law enforcement was notified. Upon coming to work, they found the back door ajar and noticed that over $1,100 dollars was missing from the establishment. A report was filed, and the case remains under investigation.

One of our officers stopped a vehicle for a window tint violation. while talking to the driver, the officer noticed that the driver’s eyes were watery, and there were multiple open containers of alcohol scattered through the vehicle. There was also an odor similar to that of an alcoholic drink drifting from the area of the driver’s door. 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. He was then placed under arrest and charged with Window Tint Violation, Windshield Viollation, Open Container, and DUI (.08 grams or more).