Monday, January 19, 2015
A three-week investigation into the death of a North Carolina man whose body was found near Georgia Highway 204 on Dec. 23 has led to the murder charges against two suspects.
Kevin Da Palmer, 23, and Genevieve Elizabeth Meeks, 20, both of Savannah were charged Saturday by Homicide detectives from the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department with murder, malice murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
The investigation has been ongoing since the body of William Fredric Whitsett was found just west of King George Boulev ard in December. An autopsy revealed he had been shot. The investigation is continuing.
Kevin Da Palmer, 23, and Genevieve Elizabeth Meeks, 20, both of Savannah were charged Saturday by Homicide detectives from the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department with murder, malice murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
The investigation has been ongoing since the body of William Fredric Whitsett was found just west of King George Boulev ard in December. An autopsy revealed he had been shot. The investigation is continuing.
Palmer
Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police have warrants charging Nelaunte Grant, 20, with aggravated battery, criminal damage to property and three counts of cruelty to children in the first degree.
She is a black female, 5-foot-6, and weighing 162 pounds.
She was identified as "the woman who broke the windshield of a car and cut a 26-year-old woman with a knife during a fight between several women at a school bus stop a Liberty Parkway and Vasser street about 4:15 p.m. Monday," police say.
The victim was transported to a hospital for treatment.
Anyone with information on her location 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.
Sunday, January 18, 2015
A multi-agency investigation led by Metro Police "has led to the arrest of a Garden City man and the seizure of materials to construct a bomb he had threatened to deploy," police say.
David Nolan Evans, 40, was arrested after a search of his Garden City residence "led Metro bomb technicians to discover and seize explosive materials and additional components to build an actual bomb."
He has been charged with terroristic threats and acts, possession of a hoax device by a convicted felon, false public alarm and violation of probation. He also was charged with obstruction "after he broke free from officers and tried to run from the residence."
The action followed the discovery of a potential bomb device in the Savannah Probation Office last Monday. The area around the Probation Office and also houses a Social Security office on Southern Oaks Drive off Chatham Parkway was evacuated for several hours at the time.
The investigation included Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Tactical Investigation Unit agents, Explosive Ordinance Device (bomb squad) technicians, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents, and agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Since the device was located, "investigators pored over clues and Probation Office records to iden tify Evans as the suspect and obtain the warrant to search his residence," police say.
The device discovered in the Probation Office contained "all components of a bomb except explosive material. It was accompanied by a note warning that a future device would include that material," police say.
Additional calls to Emergency 911 threatened to deploy a larger device that would be armed in early February.
The SWAT-led warrant service on the residence on Priscilla D. Thomas Way about noon Friday "led to discovery of enough materials to fulfill that threat."
Evans, a registered sex offender who has been charged with probation violation at least four times, "has an extensive record with Metro Police and Chatham County law enforcement agencies," police say.
David Nolan Evans, 40, was arrested after a search of his Garden City residence "led Metro bomb technicians to discover and seize explosive materials and additional components to build an actual bomb."
He has been charged with terroristic threats and acts, possession of a hoax device by a convicted felon, false public alarm and violation of probation. He also was charged with obstruction "after he broke free from officers and tried to run from the residence."
The action followed the discovery of a potential bomb device in the Savannah Probation Office last Monday. The area around the Probation Office and also houses a Social Security office on Southern Oaks Drive off Chatham Parkway was evacuated for several hours at the time.
The investigation included Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Tactical Investigation Unit agents, Explosive Ordinance Device (bomb squad) technicians, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents, and agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Since the device was located, "investigators pored over clues and Probation Office records to iden tify Evans as the suspect and obtain the warrant to search his residence," police say.
The device discovered in the Probation Office contained "all components of a bomb except explosive material. It was accompanied by a note warning that a future device would include that material," police say.
Additional calls to Emergency 911 threatened to deploy a larger device that would be armed in early February.
The SWAT-led warrant service on the residence on Priscilla D. Thomas Way about noon Friday "led to discovery of enough materials to fulfill that threat."
Evans, a registered sex offender who has been charged with probation violation at least four times, "has an extensive record with Metro Police and Chatham County law enforcement agencies," police say.
Friday, January 16, 2015
One person is in custody "following the recovery of drugs, weapons and various items linked to multiple property crimes," police say.
Early Friday morning, members of the Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team (CNT), Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department (SCMPD), State of Georgia Probation, Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, United States Marshals and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) conducted a search of a residence in the 1100 Block of East 36th Street in Savannah.
"Law enforcement found marijuana, marijuana plants, items commonly used to manufacture and distribute marijuana and four firearms," a CNT spokesman says. "Some of the firearms were found with altered serial numbers. Also recovered were items connected to various burglaries and entering autos reported within SCMPD’s Central, Southside and Islands Precincts."
CNT arrested 20-year-old Marques Deshaun Johnson. Johnson was charged with multiple felonies including Manufacturing Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, four counts of Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony and Possession of a Firearm with an Altered Serial Number. Additional charges and arrests are expected.
SCMPD detectives are conducting investigations into the stolen items recovered.
Early Friday morning, members of the Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team (CNT), Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department (SCMPD), State of Georgia Probation, Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, United States Marshals and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) conducted a search of a residence in the 1100 Block of East 36th Street in Savannah.
"Law enforcement found marijuana, marijuana plants, items commonly used to manufacture and distribute marijuana and four firearms," a CNT spokesman says. "Some of the firearms were found with altered serial numbers. Also recovered were items connected to various burglaries and entering autos reported within SCMPD’s Central, Southside and Islands Precincts."
CNT arrested 20-year-old Marques Deshaun Johnson. Johnson was charged with multiple felonies including Manufacturing Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, four counts of Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony and Possession of a Firearm with an Altered Serial Number. Additional charges and arrests are expected.
SCMPD detectives are conducting investigations into the stolen items recovered.
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Investigators seek the public’s help identifying the suspects behind an entering auto and theft outside an east Savannah church, and a subsequent case of credit card fraud.
The entering auto occurred Thursday Jan. 15, at about 9:30 a.m. in the Bible Baptist Church Daycare parking lot, on the 4700 block of Skidaway Road.
"Investigators believe one suspect broke the parked SUV’s windows after noticing a purse on the front passenger seat," a police spokesperson says.
"About 45 minutes later, several large purchases were made using one of the stolen credit cards at Target, on the 1900 block of Victory Drive. Additional attempts to use the cards were made at least two more Savannah businesses."
Target surveillance cameras show two suspects making the fraudulent purchases just after 10 a.m. Both are described as black females in their late teens to early 20s, standing about 5-6. During the incident they both wore loose fitting hooded jackets.
The entering auto suspect is described as a black male, with a medium brown complexion, in his early to mid-20s. He stands about 6-2 and weighs 175 pounds. During the crime, he wore a black hooded shirt and blue jeans. He was last seen running north on Skidaway Road towards LaRoche Avenue.
The entering auto occurred Thursday Jan. 15, at about 9:30 a.m. in the Bible Baptist Church Daycare parking lot, on the 4700 block of Skidaway Road.
"Investigators believe one suspect broke the parked SUV’s windows after noticing a purse on the front passenger seat," a police spokesperson says.
"About 45 minutes later, several large purchases were made using one of the stolen credit cards at Target, on the 1900 block of Victory Drive. Additional attempts to use the cards were made at least two more Savannah businesses."
Target surveillance cameras show two suspects making the fraudulent purchases just after 10 a.m. Both are described as black females in their late teens to early 20s, standing about 5-6. During the incident they both wore loose fitting hooded jackets.
The entering auto suspect is described as a black male, with a medium brown complexion, in his early to mid-20s. He stands about 6-2 and weighs 175 pounds. During the crime, he wore a black hooded shirt and blue jeans. He was last seen running north on Skidaway Road towards LaRoche Avenue.
Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police investigators ask the public’s help in identifying the person, "who on two occasions committed armed robbery at Family Dollar locations," a spokesperson says.
The first robbery occurred Jan. 1, at Family Dollar on the 800 block of Habersham Street. The second incident was Jan. 7 on the 7300 block of Skidaway Road.
"In both cases, surveillance footage showed the suspect entering the stores and holding clerks at gunpoint while demanding cash, before fleeing on foot," police say. "The suspect was last seen running southbound on Habersham Street."
The suspect was last seen wearing a gray long sleeved thermal shirt, black pants and a gray skull cap. He is believed to be a black male in his early 20s, standing 5-7 to 5-10 and weighing 150 to 170. The suspect also has a beard.
Anyone with information on this case should call Crimestoppers at (912) 234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637) using the keyword CSTOP2020. Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.
The first robbery occurred Jan. 1, at Family Dollar on the 800 block of Habersham Street. The second incident was Jan. 7 on the 7300 block of Skidaway Road.
"In both cases, surveillance footage showed the suspect entering the stores and holding clerks at gunpoint while demanding cash, before fleeing on foot," police say. "The suspect was last seen running southbound on Habersham Street."
The suspect was last seen wearing a gray long sleeved thermal shirt, black pants and a gray skull cap. He is believed to be a black male in his early 20s, standing 5-7 to 5-10 and weighing 150 to 170. The suspect also has a beard.
Anyone with information on this case should call Crimestoppers at (912) 234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637) using the keyword CSTOP2020. Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.
The City of Savannah’s Weave-A-Dream (WAD) Panel has issued a call for proposals for its 2015 Weave-A-Dream—Cultural & Arts Projects initiative.
"Applications will be accepted through the calendar year, while funds are available," a City spokesperson says. "Programs are to be completed prior to October 1, 2015 and the application must be submitted at least eight weeks prior to the start date of the project."
Project funding is available up to $2,000 for specific and innovative arts, cultural, or heritage projects or presentations that have a measurable, quantifiable benefit to Savannah’s diverse populations. The Weave-A-Dream committee seeks proposals that actively involve youth, seniors, and those who have limited access to arts based programs in Savannah.
Programs engaging participates ranging from 6 -11 graders with disciplines of production, animation, photography desktop publishing, CAD, metalworking and carpentry are of particular interest to Weave-A-Dream. While other programs such as performing, visual, media, theater, folk, design (architecture), or literary arts are also encouraged to apply.
To be eligible for consideration, an organization must be a non-profit, 501c3, head-quartered in Savannah’s corporate limits. Proposed programs must also be produced within the City’s corporate limits. No individual artist applications will be accepted.
Applications are available on the Department of Cultural Affairs website (www.savannahga.gov\arts). They can also be requested by contacting Rebecca Brown at 912-651-5988 ext. 8969 or [email protected].
Applications "are reviewed by the WAD Panel and funding is awarded by a competitive funding process that considers the project’s artistic merit, quality of design, quality of marketing strategy and plan for assessing the project’s success.Successful programs will identify a community need and utilize arts and heritage activities as the primary strategy to fulfill that need.
"Applications will be accepted through the calendar year, while funds are available," a City spokesperson says. "Programs are to be completed prior to October 1, 2015 and the application must be submitted at least eight weeks prior to the start date of the project."
Project funding is available up to $2,000 for specific and innovative arts, cultural, or heritage projects or presentations that have a measurable, quantifiable benefit to Savannah’s diverse populations. The Weave-A-Dream committee seeks proposals that actively involve youth, seniors, and those who have limited access to arts based programs in Savannah.
Programs engaging participates ranging from 6 -11 graders with disciplines of production, animation, photography desktop publishing, CAD, metalworking and carpentry are of particular interest to Weave-A-Dream. While other programs such as performing, visual, media, theater, folk, design (architecture), or literary arts are also encouraged to apply.
To be eligible for consideration, an organization must be a non-profit, 501c3, head-quartered in Savannah’s corporate limits. Proposed programs must also be produced within the City’s corporate limits. No individual artist applications will be accepted.
Applications are available on the Department of Cultural Affairs website (www.savannahga.gov\arts). They can also be requested by contacting Rebecca Brown at 912-651-5988 ext. 8969 or [email protected].
Applications "are reviewed by the WAD Panel and funding is awarded by a competitive funding process that considers the project’s artistic merit, quality of design, quality of marketing strategy and plan for assessing the project’s success.Successful programs will identify a community need and utilize arts and heritage activities as the primary strategy to fulfill that need.
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) has donated the use of one of its academic buildings to the Habersham School for the remainder of the 2014-2015 school year.
The Habersham School, a private Christian academy in midtown Savannah serving students in grades K3-12, "has recently experienced huge growth in enrollment since opening in 2012. The school has quickly outgrown its original space and upper grades have been in temporary quarters off-campus this fall," a SCAD spokesperson says.
After winter break, SCAD’s Habersham Hall, 235 Habersham St., will house the Habersham School’s 9-12 students, while K3-8 students will remain on the original Gould Cottage campus near Hull Park.
"The SCAD building comes to the Habersham School already outfitted with mounted LCD projectors, screens, whiteboards, a large enclosed outdoor courtyard for student gatherings and an on street parking lot, all included in the donation," the spokesperson says.
“In the 36 years since SCAD opened its doors we’ve been shown tremendous generosity along the way, which helped us meet the needs of our students,” said SCAD founder and president Paula Wallace. “In that same spirit, we are honored to be able to help another nonprofit organization develop within the community. It’s serendipitous, too, that the Habersham School employs several SCAD graduates.”
Habersham School President Chip Welch said: “Our core values align with SCAD, our foundational focus is humanity-based teaching, which includes a strong concentration on the arts.”
The Habersham School, a private Christian academy in midtown Savannah serving students in grades K3-12, "has recently experienced huge growth in enrollment since opening in 2012. The school has quickly outgrown its original space and upper grades have been in temporary quarters off-campus this fall," a SCAD spokesperson says.
After winter break, SCAD’s Habersham Hall, 235 Habersham St., will house the Habersham School’s 9-12 students, while K3-8 students will remain on the original Gould Cottage campus near Hull Park.
"The SCAD building comes to the Habersham School already outfitted with mounted LCD projectors, screens, whiteboards, a large enclosed outdoor courtyard for student gatherings and an on street parking lot, all included in the donation," the spokesperson says.
“In the 36 years since SCAD opened its doors we’ve been shown tremendous generosity along the way, which helped us meet the needs of our students,” said SCAD founder and president Paula Wallace. “In that same spirit, we are honored to be able to help another nonprofit organization develop within the community. It’s serendipitous, too, that the Habersham School employs several SCAD graduates.”
Habersham School President Chip Welch said: “Our core values align with SCAD, our foundational focus is humanity-based teaching, which includes a strong concentration on the arts.”
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office Sex Offender Registration and Tracking (S.O.R.T.) Unit is asking for the community’s help in locating these four wanted absconders:
JOEL BUNTON, 40, was convicted of statutory rape in 2011. BUNTON has been listed as an absconder since June of 2013. He is known to frequent the Wilmington Island area.
MARTIN WALL, 40, was convicted of enticing child for indecent purposes in 2012. WALL has been listed as an absconder since November of 2013. He may possibly be living out of the country. He is known to frequent the downtown area of Savannah.
JAMES MINCEY, 31, was convicted of statutory rape in 2006. MINCEY has been listed as an absconder since September of 2014. He is a homeless offender and may still be in the downtown area of Savannah. He also has ties to the Statesboro area.
DANIEL COUNTS, 28, was convicted of statutory rape in 2007. COUNTS has been listed as an absconder since January of 2015. He is known to frequent the area of Salt Creek Road in Savannah. He also has ties to the Effingham County area.
If you have any information about the whereabouts of BUNTON, WALL, MINCEY or COUNTS call (912) 656-5715.
JOEL BUNTON, 40, was convicted of statutory rape in 2011. BUNTON has been listed as an absconder since June of 2013. He is known to frequent the Wilmington Island area.
MARTIN WALL, 40, was convicted of enticing child for indecent purposes in 2012. WALL has been listed as an absconder since November of 2013. He may possibly be living out of the country. He is known to frequent the downtown area of Savannah.
JAMES MINCEY, 31, was convicted of statutory rape in 2006. MINCEY has been listed as an absconder since September of 2014. He is a homeless offender and may still be in the downtown area of Savannah. He also has ties to the Statesboro area.
DANIEL COUNTS, 28, was convicted of statutory rape in 2007. COUNTS has been listed as an absconder since January of 2015. He is known to frequent the area of Salt Creek Road in Savannah. He also has ties to the Effingham County area.
If you have any information about the whereabouts of BUNTON, WALL, MINCEY or COUNTS call (912) 656-5715.
Two 16-year-old teens have been identified as the suspects in the Oct. 4 shooting of another 16-year-old.
Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department detectives are charging the two boys with aggravated assault through the Chatham County Juvenile Court.
Downtown Precinct Patrol officers had responded to the Fred Wessels complex that Saturday about 11:23 p.m. "to find John Bailey with a non-life threatening wound to his head. He and a friend had been walking on River Street when a large group of teens threatened Bailey. At least one member of the group fired a weapon as he ran away," police say.
Metro detectives continue to investigate the shooting and events leading up to it.
Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department detectives are charging the two boys with aggravated assault through the Chatham County Juvenile Court.
Downtown Precinct Patrol officers had responded to the Fred Wessels complex that Saturday about 11:23 p.m. "to find John Bailey with a non-life threatening wound to his head. He and a friend had been walking on River Street when a large group of teens threatened Bailey. At least one member of the group fired a weapon as he ran away," police say.
Metro detectives continue to investigate the shooting and events leading up to it.
