Just after 11:30 PM on Monday, July 27th, a Tybee Island police officer attempted to stop a vehicle for speeding on Butler Avenue. Instead of pulling over, however, the driver made the active decision to flee. The pursuit left Tybee Island and continued along Highway 80 before turning onto the Islands Expressway. Shortly after entering the City of Savannah, the suspect ran a red light at the intersection of President Street and General McIntosh Boulevard, resulting in a three-car crash.

The driver of the suspect vehicle was immediately taken into custody and charged with Speeding, Failure to Maintain Lane, Driving on the Wrong Side of the Roadway, Improper Passing, Reckless Driving, Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device, Driving While License Suspended, Fleeing and Attempting to Elude (Felony), and DUI (Combo-Less Safe).

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While on patrol, one of our officers was approached by a sanitation worker who had found a Georgia identification card. The officer then took custody of the card and transported it to the Tybee Island Police Department for safekeeping.

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

Officers responded to local bar in reference to a fight. While speaking with our team, employees of the bar reported that a highly intoxicated man was refusing to leave. When another customer attempted to assist the staff in escorting the individual out, the customer was punched in the face.

After speaking with all parties involved, officers placed the intoxicated man under arrest and charged him with Disorderly Conduct.

An officer responded to an address on Jones Avenue in reference to an injured baby raccoon. The baby was carefully taken into police custody and later turned over to City of Tybee Island Code Compliance personnel.

Just after midnight, one of our officers found a man sleeping on the beach underneath the pier. After being awakened, the man informed the officer that he was “weak, thirsty, and very tired”. As a result, the officer requested emergency medical personnel to respond to the scene.

While waiting for the medics, the man told the officer that there was a handgun in his backpack. A fact that became problematic when it was discovered that he was a convicted felon. During the course of the investigation, the officer also learned that the man had an active warrant through another jurisdiction. After being treated by EMS personnel on scene, the man was placed under arrest and charged with Sleeping in Public Areas and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. He was then transported to the Chatham County Detention Center, where he was booked into custody on the gun charge and his non-local warrant.

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Officers responded to a local business in reference to a burglar alarm. After finding an unlocked door, our team cleared the business to ensure there were no unwanted guests within. Satisfied that no one was inside, officers closed the door and notified a keyholder of the situation.

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

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One of our officers stopped a vehicle for driving the wrong way on a one-way street. During the course of the investigation, the officer learned that the driver did not have insurance. As a result, the vehicle was towed and the driver was cited accordingly.

One of our officers stopped a vehicle for speeding. While talking to the driver, the officer noticed that the man’s eyes were red, and that he slurred his words as he spoke. When asked how much alcohol he had that evening, the man admitted to having “about two drinks”.

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 Speeding and DUI (Less Safe).

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Later that evening, another officer stopped a vehicle for a crosswalk violation and failing to maintain its lane.

While talking to the driver, the officer noticed that her eyes were bloodshot and glossy. When asked how much alcohol she had to drink that evening, the woman replied “none”. During the course of the subsequent investigation, however, the officer found additional evidence to suggest that the woman had been operating the vehicle while under the influence. She was then placed under arrest and charged with Crosswalk Violation, Failure to Maintain Lane, Violation of Class CP License, Driving with an Expired License, and DUI (Less Safe).

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Shortly thereafter, an officer responded to an address on 8th Street in reference to a suspicious person.

During the course of the investigation, the officer learned that the suspect had an active warrant through another jurisdiction. He was then placed under arrest and transported to the Chatham County Detention Center to answer for his non-local warrant.

While on patrol, one of our officers spotted a vehicle failing to maintain its lane, just before it ran a stop sign.

After stopping the vehicle, the officer noticed that the man’s eyes were bloodshot and that he slurred his words as he spoke. When asked about the last time he drank alcohol, the man claimed that it had “been a minute” and attempted to explain his poor driving by claiming that he “had sand in his eyes”. When given the opportunity to participate in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, the man refused.

He was then placed under arrest, and charged with Failure to Maintain Lane, Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign, Violation of License Restrictions, and DUI (Less Safe).

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Later that afternoon, one of our officers stopped a vehicle for speeding. While talking to the driver, the officer noticed that his eyes were bloodshot and that he slurred his words as he spoke. There was also a smell similar to that of an adult beverage wafting through the open window. When asked how much alcohol he had that day, the man admitted to having “four or five beers” several hours prior.

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 Speeding and DUI (.08 or more). During a search of the man’s vehicle based on probable cause, the officer found 18 open containers of alcohol, earning the man an additional charge.

Officers and emergency medical personnel responded to a local bar in reference to a man passed out on a bench. After being cleared by EMS, he was turned over to the custody of his friends.

Shortly thereafter, those same friends contacted the Tybee Island Police Department and advised that they were no longer able to care for the man due to his level of intoxication. Once on scene, our team found that he had passed out once again. After being awakened, the man suddenly tried to run away. As one officer attempted to stop him, the man began to actively resist, pushing away from the officer before striking her in the chest with his elbow. As he continued his efforts to fight and flee, he was tased. The man was then placed under arrest and charged with Public Drunkenness and Obstruction (Felony).

While at the Tybee Island Police Department, the man intentionally slammed his head into a metal bench, knocking himself unconscious. After rendering medical aid, our team made arrangements for him to be transported to a hospital for evaluation.

While at the hospital, the man was able to loosen his restraints and ran down a hallway in an attempt to escape. He was subsequently captured and transported to the Chatham County Detention Center, where he was booked into custody on the charges of Public Drunkenness, Felony Obstruction, and Escape.