Author: Staff Reports

Four people are behind bars and one murder suspect remains at large following an investigation into the death of an Alma man. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Douglas Regional Office was requested by the Alma Police Department to assist in a homicide investigation that resulted in the death of 30-year-old Tony Overstreet, Jr. Just after 10:30 p.m. Friday, June 17, officers with the Alma Police Department responded to East 11th Street and North Ware Street in Alma in reference to a report of shots being fired and an abandoned car. Upon arrival, officers found a rental vehicle that had…

Coffee County sheriff’s officials reported Wednesday morning an occupant of a vehicle stopped for speeding Tuesday was arrested on methamphetamine charges after officers allegedly discovered the drug while conducting a pat down search. Just after 3 p.m., a local HEAT unit officer conducted a traffic stop on Ga. Hwy. 32 E. near Clyde Kirkland Rd. for speeding. Several occupants were inside the vehicle, and the officer recognized one of the passengers as being currently on probation for prior drug charges. A drug unit detective and a Georgia State Patrol officer were in the area and assisted with the stop. …

Alma police say a possible rape was averted Monday thanks to the quick actions of a homeowner. Officials reported that the Alma Police Department received an alarm call to a burglary in progress at 512 E. 16th St Monday morning. According to the caller, an intruder was in the home, and 911 was able to receive a description of him prior to officers’ arrival. As officers arrived on the scene, the suspect was observed in the front yard of the residence. Sharod Fussell, 24 of Douglas, was detained and positively identified by the homeowner as the person who entered…

A surveillance operation by local authorities conducted at The Fountain Inn motel resulted in the arrest of one man last week on methamphetamine charges. Coffee County Sheriff’s officials reported Tuesday that the Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit (DCDU) began an investigation regarding the sale and use of methamphetamine at the Fountain Inn, located at 1007 N. Peterson Avenue. Authorities stated DCDU agents maintained surveillance of a suspect vehicle and occupants from the Fountain Inn to several locations in Coffee County. The vehicle was stopped at Harvey Vickers Rd. and Georgia 135. Upon searching the vehicle, agents located a quantity of methamphetamine,…

The Alma Police Department reported Sunday their agency, along with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Bacon County Sheriff’s Office, is currently investigating the death of Tony Overstreet, Jr. Overstreet’s body was found early Saturday morning in bushes behind a home on E. 10th St. in Alma. APD received a ‘shots fired’ call on E. 11th St. the previous evening, and officers discovered an abandoned vehicle with apparent bullet holes in the roadway, but did not locate any occupants. Within an hour, officers responded to a second abandoned vehicle with bullet holes on the west side of Alma. Both…

One person was jailed Friday afternoon after leading authorities on a vehicle chase that began on the north side of Douglas and came to an end in the area of the Ashley-Slater House/Douglas Visitors Information Center. According to witnesses, authorities attempted to stop the driver of a red Yukon just prior to 2 p.m. in the area of N. Peterson Ave. and Leon St. on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. The driver pulled into the parking of the KFC restaurant briefly, but quickly took off leading officers through Douglas towards E. Ashley St. Witnesses stated the chase came to an…

Douglas police officials announced today they have located a man wanted in Coffee County on several counts of child molestation and other charges. Caleb Wilkerson, age 21, was found in Ocholocknee, Ga. and is currently incarcerated at the Thomas County Jail awaiting transfer back to Coffee County. Local investigators had been looking for Wilkerson, who they say fled the area around June 14. Wilkerson has been charged with six counts of child molestation and one count of felony sexual battery. Douglas police say the investigation is ongoing and more charges are expected. Anyone with information that could assist in the…

An investigation into the suspected sale and distribution of methamphetamine led to the arrest of a Coffee County man on Tuesday, who now faces a multitude of drug-related charges. Just after 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 14, the Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit (DCDU) began an investigation at a residence on Trotter Rd. in the Green Acres community of Coffee County. After making a controlled purchase of illegal narcotics from the residence, authorities identified the alleged distributor and primary resident of the home as 47-year-old Tony Fogarty. Agents checked Fogarty through electronic data bases and also found he was, in essence, a noncompliant…

An employee of a Douglas motel was jailed recently after authorities allegedly discovered prepacked bags of marijuana in a room he was occupying at the location. Coffee County sheriff’s officials reported today that the The Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit (DCDU) was called to assist the Douglas Police Department around 5:30 p.m. on June 8 after receiving a complaint of trafficking in marijuana at the Fountain Inn, 1007 North Peterson Ave. After Douglas patrol units completed an initial investigation, they and the DCDU agent searched Room 225 at the motel and discovered an excess of an ounce of marijuana packaged in small…