Oconee Blotter: Jefferson man drops off ex-girlfriend and then drives off with her car
The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office reported the following incidents:
FRUITFUL TIP: On Aug. 20, Cpl. Quinton NeSmith was on patrol at about 5 a.m. when he received information that someone had seen a reckless driver on Experiment Station Road. The vehicle, a 2008 Ford F-250, was traveling onto Mars Hill Road, so the deputy stopped the vehicle as his check on the license plate showed problems. The 23-year-old driver from Riverdale was charged with being an unlicensed driver and the truck’s registration was suspended.
MOWER THEFT: On Aug.19, Deputy Christopher Haag met with a 37-year-old resident who reported the theft of an older model riding mower often used on golf courses. The mower, which was inoperable, was for sale and parked at a location on Hodges Mill Road. A video show that a pickup pulled to the location and the person spent about an hour loading the mower before leaving.
BAD LANE CHANGE: On Aug. 19, Deputy Christopher Haag was monitoring traffic on Georgia Highway 316 near Virgil Langford Road when he observed a Kia Optima make a lane change in the middle of the intersection. After a traffic stop the deputy discovered the 67-year-old Athens man was wanted on pending charges from another county. He was taken to jail and given a warning for the lane change.
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SHOPLIFTER CAUGHT: On Aug. 18, Deputy Doug Mattocks was dispatched to Walmart where a 39-year-old Watkinsville woman was detained for shoplifting. She was observed placing several pieces of cell phone accessories in her purse. She paid for her groceries, but not the concealed items. She had a small child so her husband was called to the store before she was transported to jail.
SCANNER TRICK: On Aug. 18, Deputy B. Argueta was dispatched to Walmart, where a 21-year-old Athens man was detained for shoplifting. The man had taken the bar code off a notebook and was using it to scan more than $100 in groceries. The man would hold the item just far enough off the scanner so it appeared he was scanning the merchandise. When questioned about his behavior, the man confessed to what he was doing.
FORD TAKEN: On Aug. 18, Deputy B. Argueta was dispatched to meet with a 30-year-old Crawford woman, who reported her Ford Focus was stolen by her ex-boyfriend. The man had spent the night with her and when they went to a work location in Oconee, he wanted to use her her car but she refused. When she exited the car, he drove off. Cpl. Lex Ogan called the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and they located the car and suspect at his home in Jefferson, where the man was taken into custody.
ROCK HILL DRIVER: On Aug. 15, Deputy Dustin Mines was monitoring traffic at U.S. Highway 441 and North Main Street, Watkinsville, when a check on a passing Chevrolet Trail Blazer showed the registration was suspended. A traffic stop was made and the deputy also learned the 30-year-old driver from Rock Hill, S.C., did not have insurance. He was arrested and his vehicle towed.
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Oconee Blotter: Theft takes an hour to steal an old lawn mower
