Author: Staff Reports

Douglas police authorities stated Monday the deaths of two citizens that occurred around the same time and were investigated the police department have been determined to be unrelated. Officers from the Douglas Police Department responded to two separate locations on July 25 in reference to the deaths of Bruce Leon Clark and Pamela Gail Curtis. The initial investigation, authorities said, indicated there was a substantial amount of time between the two deaths, and the evidence at both scenes showed no similarities in circumstances. The death of Ms. Curtis was investigated by the Douglas Police Department and the Coffee County Coroner’s…

Telfair County officials and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation located the remains of a man believed to be 40-year-old Tommy James Hulett Sunday evening. Hulett had been missing since around 11 a.m. Friday. “Investigators will be working to positively identify the deceased, and a thorough investigation will be conducted to determine cause of death,” authorities stated. Anyone with information that could assist in this case is asked to contact the Telfair – Wheeler 911 Center at 229-868-7833 or The Telfair County Sheriff’s Office at 229-868-6621.

Officials with the Alma Police Dept. provided the following information Sunday regarding several recent felony arrests: Officers stopped a vehicle on E. 19th St. at the intersection of S. Wayne St. on July 26. As an officer exited his patrol car, the passenger of the vehicle fled the location through Rose Hill Cemetery. APD officers and the Bacon County Sheriff’s Office quickly established a perimeter around the cemetery. After a bloodhound was dispatched to the scene, the suspect was found hiding in a storage shed at a residence on E. 17th St. Jason Edward Thompson (29) of Alma was arrested…

A statewide campaign in support of Georgia’s law enforcement officers will soon be highly visible along some of the state’s busiest highways. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced the project on Wednesday, which was initiated independently by Conner Poe, President and CEO of Outdoor Advertising Association of Georgia (OAAG). “Mr. Poe and OAAG are utilizing their billboards to show their support of law enforcement and thank the men and women who serve to keep our citizens safe,” GBI officials stated in an email. “The GBI is one of many law enforcement agencies appreciative of Mr. Poe and OAAG’s great work!…

Two employees of a local convenience store were charged recently after Douglas authorities discovered they’d staged a robbery in an effort to cover up shortages at the store. DPD officers responded to Aden’s Minit Mart, 1020 E. Baker Hwy., on June 26 after receiving a report of a robbery. Authorities were told an employee had walked out of the store to make a bank deposit when she was allegedly confronted by a black male who robbed her and fled the scene. Police officials say a subsequent investigation into the case determined the initial complainant and another employee had staged the…

Douglas police reported today the arrest of one man believed to be responsible for two recent burglaries at the West Ward Church of God. Officers responded to the church on June 20 and July 8 in reference to the burglaries, each of which resulted in property damage and theft. During the investigation, DPD officials were able to identify 45-year-old Antonio Lopez Smith as the person responsible. Smith was arrested and is currently incarcerated at the Coffee County Jail, where he faces two counts of burglary and has also been charged with multiple forgeries. Anyone with information that could further assist…

An investigation into methamphetamine sales in Coffee County resulted in the arrest of a 21-year-old female, officials reported Monday. According to Coffee County sheriff’s authorities, the Douglas – Coffee Drug Unit began an investigation into the sale and distribution of methamphetamine from a residence on Mahogany Rd. earlier this month. DCDU agents executed a search warrant at the home and recovered an undisclosed quantity of the drug. As a result of the investigation, Ashley Brianna Beckworth of Coffee County was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

Two Coffee County females made news in southwest Georgia for all the wrong reasons earlier this week after allegedly attempting to steal some high dollar items from the Cordele Wal-Mart. Cordele and Crisp County authorities were responding to a report of a theft at the store when they spotted the suspects in the parking lot attempting to leave. The items taken from the store were located inside the car, according to sources. Heather Thomas of Ambrose and Kesha Serrano of Douglas were both arrested at the scene and taken to the Crisp County Detention Center.

A woman wanted in Victoria County, Texas on charges of manufacturing and dispensing methamphetamine was arrested at a residence in Coffee County Friday. The U.S. Marshals Services notified local authorities the fugitive, identified as Autumn Shelby Berger, was believed to be in the area. Coffee County Sheriff’s officials, along with the Douglas – Coffee Drug Unit and the Marshals Service, located Berger at home on Matt’s Way on Friday, and she is currently incarcerated at the Coffee County Jail awaiting extradition back to Texas.