Officers responded to a report of a stolen golf cart, which had since been spotted driving recklessly around the island. While patrolling through residential areas, an officer located the golf cart and noticed that it was occupied by five teenagers. After spotting the officer, the driver of the cart began to make several abrupt turns as if attempting to elude the police. As the officer activated his emergency lights, however, the driver did comply and pulled the cart to a stop. During the course of the investigation, officers learned that all five occupants of the cart were juveniles. When asked for contact information for her parents, the 15 year old driver repeatedly provided incorrect telephone numbers and a fake address. After placing her under arrest, officers found that the driver was also in possession of a vape pen and a small amount of marijuana. As a result, she was charged with Driving While Unlicensed, Possession of Tobacco Related Products by a Minor, Possession of Marijuana (less than an ounce), and Obstruction of Law Enforcement. She and the other four juveniles were then released into the custody of their parents and guardians.

The golf cart was returned to the owner, who declined to pursue charges for the theft.

In the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 25, one of our officers was on patrol when he spotted a vehicle approaching at a high rate of speed. As the vehicle passed his location, the officer turned and noticed that it did not have a working tag light. After turning around and catching up to the vehicle, he also noticed that it was failing to maintain its lane as it drifted over the center line of the roadway. The officer then conducted a traffic stop, during which he was able to smell an odor similar to that of an alcoholic drink emitting from within. He also noticed that the driver mumbled incoherently to herself and refused to make eye contact by staring straight ahead. During the course of the subsequent investigation, the officer found additional evidence to suggest that the woman had been operating the motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. She was then placed under arrest and charged with Speeding, Tag Light Required, Failure to Maintain Lane, Failure to Change Name and Address on License in 60 Days, Open Container and DUI (Less Safe).

While on patrol, one of our officers spotted a vehicle failing to maintain its lane on Butler Avenue. After conducting a traffic stop, the officer noticed that the driver’s eyes were bloodshot and “glossy”. He also noticed a smell similar to that of an alcoholic drink emitting from within the vehicle. During the course of the subsequent investigation, the driver refused to participate in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing and was placed under arrest. She was charged with Failure to Maintain Lane, Failure to Change Name and Address on License in 60 Days and DUI (Less Safe).

Officers responded to the local library in reference to a report of a baby locked in a hot vehicle. Upon their arrival, the officers learned that the baby had already been removed by a Good Samaritan, who was attempting to cool the child down in their own personal vehicle. During this time, the officers noted that the crying child’s skin was bright red, and that it’s shirt was drenched in sweat. During the investigation, our team was able to locate the mother of the child inside of the library. After being confronted by officers, the woman became distraught over what she had done. During the course of the conversation, she insisted that she had simply made a mistake by leaving the baby in the car. Officers found it strange, however, that she had remembered to retrieve her other children from the back, but forgot one. A check of the temperature inside of the car returned with a reading of 98 degrees. The woman was subsequently placed under arrest for Cruelty to Children in the 2nd Degree and transferred to the Chatham County Detention Center. The baby was treated by Emergency Medical personnel and turned over to police until it was released into the care of a family member.

In the early morning hours of Friday, July 28, 2023, one of our officers spotted a vehicle turning from Solomon onto Fort at a high rate of speed. As the officer followed, he paced the vehicle at 50 mph in the 20 mph speed zone. After conducting a traffic stop, the officer noticed that the driver slurred his words when he spoke, and that his eyes were bloodshot. During the course of the subsequent investigation, the officer found additional evidence to suggest that the man had been operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. He was then placed under arrest and charged with Speeding, Reckless Driving and DUI (Less Safe).

____________________________

While on patrol, one of our officers spotted 10 people crammed into a six-seat golf cart. After stopping the vehicle, the officer noticed open containers of alcohol in the front cup holders. He also learned that the driver’s license was suspended. The man was subsequently placed under arrest and charged with Seatbelt Violation, Child Safety Seat Violation, Open Container and Driving While License Suspended.

Just after midnight, one of our officers spotted a golf cart failing to maintain its lane on Jones Avenue. As the officer watched, the cart ran a stop sign at the intersection with 14th, almost striking another vehicle in the process. After conducting a traffic stop, the officer noticed that the driver had blood shot eyes and that there was a smell, similar to an alcoholic drink, that became stronger as he spoke. The officer also noticed that the front seat passenger was holding a child in their lap. During the course of the subsequent investigation, the officer found additional evidence to suggest that the driver had been operating the cart while under the influence of alcohol. He was then placed under arrest and charged with Failure to Maintain Lane, Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign, Open Container, Child Safety Seat Violation, DUI and Endangering a Child While DUI.

______________________________

Shortly thereafter, one of our officers was monitoring traffic along Highway 80 when he spotted a vehicle with a defective tag light and taillight. After conducting a traffic stop, the officer smelled the odor of Marijuana emitting from within the vehicle. A subsequent search of the car revealed both, marijuana and what appeared to be hallucinogenic mushrooms. The driver was then placed under arrest and chaged with Tag light requirements, Taillight Violation, Possession of Marijuana (less than an ounce) and Possession of a Controlled Substance (Psilocybin).

Just after midnight, officers responded to a local restaurant in reference to a disorderly person. During the course of the investigation, our team learned that a woman had hidden in the bushes outside of the restaurant and waited for her former romantic partner to get off work. As the victim exited the restaurant, the suspect leapt from the bushes and confronted them. The victim then got into their car and tried to leave, but the suspect allegeldy beat on the car and blocked their exit. When confronted by the victim’s coworkers, the suspect threatened to fight them, before ultimately leaving the scene.

While one officer gathered the information for a report, other officers spotted the suspect’s vehicle driving at high rate of speed through nearby neighborhoods. When they attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the suspect continued driving and returned to the restaurant, where they encountered both the victim and the reporting officer in the parking lot. The suspect then refused to follow instructions to get out of the car, forcing officers to pull her free from the vehicle. As they moved to place her in handcuffs, the suspect attempted to turn around and pull away from officers, causing them to pin her against the vehicle to make the arrest. She was subsequently charged with Disorderly Conduct, Stalking, False Imprisonment, Too Fast for Conditions, Reckless Driving, Fleeing and Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement, Violation of a Class D License and Obstruction.