Officers responded to a report of a man almost being struck by a vehicle and threatened with bodily harm. While speaking with our team, the victim stated that he had been walking alongside his significant other, when he spotted a car approaching them. As he continued to watch, the car steered towards them at slow rate of speed, prompting the victim to move his companion out of the way to prevent her from being struck. As the vehicle slowly passed their location, the driver made eye contact with the victim. A moment later, the vehicle turned around and accelerated towards them at a high rate of speed. Stopping alongside the pair, the driver glared at the victim, stating, “Look at me sideways again, and I’ll blow your head off, motherf_____.” The victim was unable to determine if the driver actually had a gun before the vehicle sped away. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate the suspect at the time.

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Officers responded to a residence in the area of 17th and Butler in reference to a man sleeping in someone’s front yard. After being awakened by officers, the man admitted to having too much alcohol the night before and was unable to provide an address of where he was actually staying. He was then placed under arrest and charged with Disorderly Conduct.

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Officers responded to a local motel in reference to damage to property. While speaking with our team, motel staff stated that a guest checked out earlier that day. When housekeeping went into the room to clean it, they noticed that the television was damaged, and that the towel rack had been ripped from the wall. A report was filed, and the case number was provided to motel management.

Officers responded to the area of Oceanview Court in reference to a report of trespassing. While speaking with our team, the caller pointed out two nearby rental properties, and complained that the guests frequently use his private boardwalk to get to the beach. After making contact with the guests at one of the properties, officers explained the situation and provided directions to the nearest public beach access. A report was filed, and no further action was taken during this time.

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One of our officers stopped a vehicle for failing to maintain its lane, failing to signal a lane change, and having a defective brake light. While talking with the driver, the officer noticed that his eyes were watery 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 Failure to Maintain Lane, Failure to Signal, Defective Brake Light, Open Container, and DUI (Less Safe).

Just after 3:00 AM, one of our officers spotted a vehicle failing to maintain its lane. Soon after the officer activated his emergency lights, the vehicle made a wide turn onto a beachside street. After reaching the dead end, the driver turned the vehicle around, looking directly at the officer as he attempted to maneuver around the patrol car. Rolling down his window, the officer ordered the man to stop the car. In response, the man accelerated rapidly, failing to stop for the stop sign as he turned the vehicle back onto Butler Avenue.

As the officer gave pursuit, the man turned the vehicle’s lights off and pulled into a private parking lot in an attempt to hide. While following him into the lot, officers watched the man crash, wedging his vehicle between a telephone pole and a large tree. While subsequently placing the man under arrest, our team was able to smell an odor similar to that of an alcoholic drink emitting from his person and noted that there were open containers of alcohol within the vehicle. The driver was then caged with Failure to Maintain Lane, Failure to Obey Traffic Control Device, Reckless Driving, Failure to Use Headlights After Dark, Driving While License Suspended, Expired Registration, Fleeing and Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement, and DUI (Less Safe).

One of our officers stopped a vehicle for failing to maintain its lane. While speaking to the driver, officers noticed that her eyes were “glossy” and that there was a strong odor similar to that of an alcoholic drink emitting from within the vehicle. When asked, the driver admitted to having several alcoholic drinks over an hour before the stop. During the course of the subsequent investigation, the driver declined to participate in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing. She was then placed under arrest, and charged with Failure to Maintain Lane, Driving While License Suspended, and DUI (Less Safe).

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Officers responded to the beach near 19th Street in reference to a drowning. As they arrived on scene, our team saw Ocean Rescue personnel pulling two men and a woman from the water.

While speaking with officers, one of the male victims stated that he and his girlfriend had been walking along the sandbar when they were overpowered by the swift moving current. As he struggled, a stranger pulled his head above water, and instructed him to “turn over and float”. Soon afterwards, both he and the stranger were rescued by the lifeguards. After being brought to shore, the Good Samaritan stood up, and simply walked away.

Tragically, the woman was transported to a local hospital, where she died.

If you, or someone you know, were the Good Samaritan that worked to save this couple’s lives, we encourage you to come forward. You can reach the investigator in charge of this case by calling (912)786-5600 or by emailing Detective Armando Villegas at a armando.villegas@cityoftybee.gov.

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Officers responded to the intersection of Highway 80 and Jones Avenue in reference to a crash between a Sports Utility Vehicle and a bicyclist.

Whie speaking with officers, a witness stated that the SUV was attempting to make a left turn onto Highway 80 from Jones Avenue when it struck the bicyclist. According to the witness, the driver then attempted to flee the scene, pulling her vehicle forward until the man and his bicycle were pinned underneath. The witness further stated that paramedics had witnessed the accident and removed the woman from her vehicle. A few moments later, however, the woman got back into the SUV and attempted to leave again, forcing the medics to once again intervene. After being removed from the SUV a second time, the woman walked into a nearby house. She would remain there until confronted by police.

During the course of the investigation, officers found evidence to suggest that the driver had been operating the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. She was then placed under arrest and charged with a Crosswalk Violation, No Insurance, Suspended Registration, and DUI (Less Safe).

On Tuesday June 4th, her charges were upgraded to include Felonies.

Thankfully, the bicyclist survived the crash and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

One of our officers stopped a vehicle for failing to stop for a stop sign and failing to signal a turn. While talking with the driver, the officer noticed that his eyes were bloodshot and that he slurred his words as he spoke. There were also open containers in the vehicle and an odor similar to that of an alcoholic drink emitting from within. 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 Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign, Failure to Signal, Open Container and DUI (Less Safe).

Officers responded to a report of lost property. While speaking with our team, the victim stated that while eating at local restaurant she took off her engagement ring. Afte leaving, she realized that the ring was no longer on her person and began searching for it. The victim suspects that the missing ring was stolen. and stated that she was coordinating with restaurant management to obtain camera footage.