
A man and woman have each been arrested after Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police interrupted a burglary in unincorporated Chatham County and "followed a getaway car until it crashed Wednesday afternoon," police say.
Arlecha Mycole Dickerson, 19, and Devone Marquell Osborne, 21, both of the 1000 block of Stark Avenue, were arrested after separate foot pursuits following the burglary at a house on the 2100 block of Washington Street, off Skidaway Road.
Dickerson was charged with fleeing to elude police, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, burglary and disorderly conduct. Osborne also was charged with burglary and then was transported to Garden City where Garden City Police Department detectives already had warrants for aggravated assault issued against him.
Dickerson and Osborne were seen leaving the residence about 12:15 p.m. when officers approached the house on Washington Street. "Osborne ran on foot, jumping a fence along the way," police say.
Dickerson drove away in a gray 2006 Honda Accord. It crashed on Jasmine Avenue, "slamming into a utility pole that toppled, pulling wires to the ground with it. She was captured about 30 yards away."
An officer noticed Osborne walking in the Norwood Plaza shopping center and followed him into a courtyard area between two restaurants where he was taken into custody.
Detectives continue to investigate the burglary and examine similarities to other burglaries reported in the area in the past few days.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at (912) 234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637) using the keyword CSTOP2020. Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.
Two nights of a "show of force operation netted significant results, highlighted by four felony arrests and recovery of two stolen weapons Thursday and Friday nights," police say.
Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police, bolstered by the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force, Savannah-Chatham Counter Narcotics Team and Savannah Impact Program (SIP) officers, executed 32 total arrests, issued 143 citations and recovered two stolen weapons in “Operation Total Focus.”
On Thursday and Friday nights, SIP officers visited 64 residences of probationers to assure they were complying with all regulations, conducted 13 checks on sex offenders, assisted patrol officers with four assists, served one warrant and performed one drug screen. Officers also seized 17 grams of marijuana.
Three men were arrested after drawing attention of participants in the operation who watched the three convicted felons study two convenience stores before confronting them at a third. Officers found marijuana, gloves and a stolen firearm. Early Friday morning they arrested another man found with a stolen pistol.
“The idea of Total Focus is to prevent crime,” said Maj. Richard Zapal, commander of the operation. “We do this by finding those who have been charged with crimes and getting them off the streets and presenting a presence that would discourage illegal activity. In a sense, we are taking the enforcement to them rather than reacting to the crimes they may commit.
“We are fairly certain we interrupted several robberies in the planning stages Thursday night. That was a huge achievement. I have thanked and congratulated all participants in the operation.”
Robert Douglas Morgan, 29, of the 1300 block of East 34th Street, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, obstruction and theft by receiving. Lawrence Sheppard Jr., 41, of, the 600 block of West 31st Street, was charged with operating a vehicle without a license plate and possession of marijuana. And Joseph Maurice Hamilton Jr., 40, of a Berwick Lakes Boulevard address in Pooler, was charged with possession of marijuana.
Friday morning, Kareem Byrd entered a convenience store near Waters and Derenne avenues smelling of marijuana. Police found marijuana, drug-related objects and a stolen pistol in his vehicle. He was charged with traffic offenses, possession of marijuana, theft by receiving stolen property and possession of drug-related.
A 52-year old Savannah man has been charged with murder in the death of a another man found dead on December 7.
Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police detectives have charged John Cope of the 800 block of East Anderson Street in the death of 57-year-old Moses Mack. Mack was found deceased inside of 827 E. Anderson St.
Cope was arrested Monday night, taken to the Chatham County Detention Center and will be arraigned today at 1:30 p.m. in Recorder's Court.
The Ossabaw Island Foundation recently honored the late Armstrong Atlantic State University History professor Dr. Mark A. Finlay as an Ossabaw Fellow at the non-profit organization’s annual meeting on Jan. 9.
At the time of his death in October of 2013, Dr. Finlay was completing research for a book on the environmental history of coastal Georgia, with emphasis on Ossabaw Island, Ga.
As part of that research, he interviewed members of Ossabaw Island’s first Genesis Project at a 40-year reunion in 2010. Just a month before he died, he traveled to Plains, Ga. to interview former President Jimmy Carter as part of his Ossabaw research.
“What made Mark so exceptional is that he brought a brilliant mind for research, an excellent writing ability and a remarkable gift for telling an engaging story,” said Paul Pressly, director of The Ossabaw Island Educational Alliance. “He was able to make the past real and meaningful to everyone — scholars and schoolchildren, academics and amateurs — and to make us all feel a little bit more connected to our history and to each other.”
Dr. Finlay’s work will serve as the centerpiece for an environmental history symposium being organized by the Ossabaw Island Education Alliance, scheduled for 2016. Dr. Finlay served as co-chair of its planning committee at the time of his death.
In 2008, The Ossabaw Island Foundation established the Ossabaw Fellow academic prize, which is awarded to a scholar who has completed a significant body of work relating to, and inspired by, Ossabaw Island. Since its inception, two other Ossabaw Fellows have been designated: Dr. Allison Dorsey, for her research on the post-civil war reconstruction period on Ossabaw Island, and Dr. Stephen Darcy for The Marshes of Glynn.
Tags: Ossabaw Island , Mark Finlay , Armstrong Atlantic State University , AASU
Historic Savannah Foundation will present a check donation to the Coastal Empire Habitat for Humanity as part of their recent partnership to help bring forth Habitat’s latest project, a three-bedroom home on West 42nd St. in Savannah, Ga.
The new, single-family Habitat home is in the Cuyler-Brownville neighborhood, a National Register Historic District. Through the collaborative efforts of Habitat for Humanity, Historic Savannah Foundation, City of Savannah, SCAD and the U.S. Green Building Council, the home will be LEED-certified and feature an environmentally-friendly design that is affordable, sustainable and compatible. This event is open to the public.
Thursday, January 16, 12 p.m. on-site at the new Habitat home, West 42nd St. (at the intersection of 42nd St. and Bulloch).
The Savannah National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and the National Wild Turkey Federation are partnering to provide 10 youths "an opportunity to learn about turkey conservation and experience hunting turkey with a guide."
This structured hunt and educational event will be held March 28, 29 & 30, 2014 and will focus on the development of turkey hunting skills and conservation knowledge. Participating youth will be assigned a mentor for the event.
The Hunt & Learn Weekend will be limited to a maximum of 10 hunters, ages 15 and under. All applications must be received at the Savannah NWR Visitor Center by January 31, 2014 to be entered in the random drawing which will be held on February 7, 2014. Only selected applicants will be notified after the drawing. One adult guardian per child will be required to attend the entire weekend event.
To be eligible to hunt, all selected applicants must have passed a state approved hunter education course (from any state) and present their hunter education card upon check-in. Youth hunters who do not yet have a hunter education card must complete either Georgia or South Carolina’s on-line hunter education course prior to the event and present their printed certificate upon check-in. The final written exams for both states will be administered at the event.
An information packet for the hunt, including more detailed information on how to apply, as well as the application (FWS Form 3-2356), may be downloaded from the refuge website at http://www.fws.gov/savannah/hunting.html or requested from the Savannah NWR Visitor Center at (843) 784-2468.
Dollhouse Productions has announced that “An Intimate Evening with Art Garfunkel” would continue for a second evening on Feb 15th, 2014. In response to the sold out Valentines Day performance, Garfunkel’s management made the decision to add a second night in Savannah as of Monday.
Seating is $65 General Admission and limited to 250 tickets, at www.brownpapertickets.com.
Savannah Stopover Music Festival announced tonight that 17 local bands will join more than 80 touring bands during the three-day festival March 6-8.
The full lineup of touring acts will be unveiled on Jan. 14.
Confirmed local acts and tentative performance dates include:
Kylesa- 3/6
Triathalon- 3/6, 3/7
Bear Fight! -3/7
mumbledust -3/7, 3/8
The Accomplices -3/7
City Hotel -3/8
The Rosies -3/8
Fare The Gap -3/6
Whiskey Dick -3/7
Sauna Heat -3/7, 3/8
Missionary Blues -3/8
Co-Eds -3/8
Damon and the Shitkickers- 3/8
Crazy Bag Lady -3/8
Ambrose -3/8
J. Zagers -3/7
Blackrune - 3/8
Stopover also unveiled three local Record Label Showcases, featuring local labels Retro Futurist, Soft Science and Furious Hooves. Each showcase will feature 4-5 bands signed to those labels:
March 6th: Retro Futurist Records- (21+ Show) The new label founded by critically acclaimed and globally renowned Savannah metal band Kylesa will feature 4-5 bands at a special showcase Thursday night, 3/6 at The Jinx. Kylesa will headline. Other confirmed acts include Darkentries (Columbia, SC), Jagged Vision (Stavanger, Norway), Sierra (Kitchener, Ontario).
Laura Pleasants of Kylesa says:
"We're thrilled to have the very first Retro Futurist showcase in our hometown as part of the Savannah Stopover Music Festival. I think the showcase will offer concert goers a sample of atypical metal and rock —- heavy music that is unique, diverse, progressive and honest."
Peter Robaudo, Director of Talent and Systems Management for Stopover, says, “adding this heavier showcase to the festival not only supports our local labels, but broadens the spectrum of styles and talent.”
March 7: Soft Science Records -ALL AGES Show. The new label founded by Safe//Sound concert promotions founder Gus Mueller and Skip Terpstra will host a showcase on the patio at Congress Street Social Club Friday 4-8pm. Confirmed acts include J. Zaggers, Sauna Heat, Triathalon, and Gainesville FL band Cretin Girls.
March 8th: Furious Hooves- ALL AGES Show. The label founded in 2011 by local artist and musician Ryan McCardle and Virginian TJ Hatcher will present their showcase Saturday on the patio at Congress Street Social Club from 2-7pm. Acts include Anteo (Blacksburg, VA), Bedroom(Nashville), Hallucinex (Richmond), Blackrune (Savannah), mumbledust (Savannah).
“I think everyone in Savannah is honored and proud that these new record labels all call Savannah home. It’s a great opportunity for local talent to find a marketing and distribution platform as well as to showcase up and coming national and international talent to fans and the music industry alike," says Kayne Lanahan, Founder and CEO of the Savannah Stopover.
Tags: Savannah Stopover
Three men were arrested after drawing attention of a combined force of law enforcement officers beginning a three-night crime sweep Thursday.
Participants in the operation “Total Focus” watched the three men, all convicted felons, "study two convenience stores before confronting them at a third store at Waters Avenue and Victory Drive."
After capturing one of the men in a foot chase, officers found marijuana, gloves and a stolen firearm. The arrests were among several performed by the task force Thursday, including another man found with a stolen pistol in a later case.
“This was a text book example of police work and cooperative efforts between law enforcement agencies,” said Maj. Richard Zapal, operation commander. “Our goal was to take the fight to those who would commit the crime and it couldn’t get any better than this. We will continue to investigate to determine if we interrupted crimes in the planning stages or if we just took three convicted felons off the street. Either way we were successful.”
Robert Douglas Morgan, 29, of the 1300 block of East 34th Street, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, obstruction and theft by receiving. Lawrence Sheppard Jr., 41, of, the 600 block of West 31st Street, was charged with operating a vehicle without a license plate and possession of marijuana. And Joseph Maurice Hamilton Jr., 40, of a Berwick Lakes Boulevard address in Pooler, was charged with possession of marijuana.
A captain participating in the operation of more than 75 officers first noticed the blue 1994 Oldsmobile 88 driven by Sheppard at a convenience store near LaRoche and Delesseps avenues when one man walked to the front of the store and another walked to the back.
Officers followed the car to another area where similar activities were observed and then to the third store where they surrounded the car. Morgan ran across the intersection to a church parking lot where a pursuing officer heard him drop and item later identified as a stolen handgun and secured him after he fell.
About 2:10 a.m. this morning, officers noticed Kareem Byrd enter a convenience store near Waters and Derenne avenues smelling of marijuana. When they questioned him, they found marijuana, drug-related objects and a stolen pistol in his vehicle. He was charged with traffic offenses, possession of marijuana, theft by receiving stolen property and possession of drug-related objects.
A Savannah man remains under guard at a hospital after "crashing a stolen car in an attempt to avoid a police officer who was not pursuing him Wednesday morning," police say.
Ronald Antwan Grady, 30, of the 1400 block of East 36th Street was transported to Memorial University Medical Center where he was listed in stable condition following surgery after the 10:28 a.m. crash at Augusta Avenue and Millen Street.
Officers had saturated west Savannah searching for him "after he ran from the stolen red Ford Focus he had driven through the intersection trying to avoid a traffic officer in the area."
Officers said Grady was traveling eastbound on Augusta Avenue at a high rate of speed when he lost control of the Ford and struck a utility pole. The impact caused the car to spin into a tree and another pole and came to rest on the driver’s door side.
Grady attempted to flee "but residents in the area directed another responding officer to a house where he found Grady on the front porch."
The car had been reported stolen from the grounds of a business in the 600 block of West 51st Street Tuesday after an employee had left the keys in the ignition. It was destroyed in the crash.
Grady was released from prison Nov. 4, 2013, after serving a 10-year sentence for burglary, theft, aggravated assault and kidnapping in 2003.