Author: Staff Reports

Two men currently serving on parole were jailed Monday on various charges after leading authorities on a foot and vehicle chase just north of Douglas. Officials reported that a deputy with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle for reckless driving on U.S. Highway 441 north of Douglas near the Green Tree Lakes community after the deputy observed the vehicle passing other motorists against a double yellow line. As the deputy approached the vehicle, the driver fled on foot. The deputy chased the fleeing driver about one quarter of a mile on foot before another vehicle stopped, picked up…

Officials with the Douglas – Coffee Drug Unit (DCDU) reported today the recent arrests of three individuals on varying drug possession and distribution charges. Last Saturday, November 7, the Nicholls Police Department stopped a vehicle on Rich St. for a traffic violation. Authorities stated a search of the vehicle revealed an assortment of pain pills, and Nicholls police contacted the DCDU. As a result of the incident, James Eldon Metts, 40, of Nicholls was arrested on two counts of possession of a scheduled controlled substance and issued traffic citations for no insurance and failure to stop at a stop sign. …

One person is dead following an overnight residential fire that occurred in Douglas. Officers from the Douglas Police Department responded early Monday morning to 402 Whispering Pines Dr. in reference to assisting the Douglas Fire Dept. with a house fire. Authorities reported that, upon entering the home, a 63-year-old white male, identified as Thomas Prewett, was found deceased in a rear room of the residence. The fire was also found to be isolated in the same room as the deceased. Investigators from the police deparment and the state fire marshal’s office are currently investigating this incident to determine the cause…

A man who complained of being assaulted at a local doctor’s office last week was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs just one hour after filing a report with authorities. Douglas police responded to the office of Dr. Conrad Harper, 102 Bowens Mill Rd. SW, last Tuesday, Oct. 27, just before 3 p.m. in reference to a verbal argument. The alleged victim, identified as 62-year-old Wayne Francis Parker of Douglas, told officials an individual had grabbed him by the throat and pushed him backwards. No arrest was made at the time. About 4 p.m. the same day, Douglas…

Douglas police are looking for several suspects they believe to be responsible for a string of recent thefts in which the thieves got away with a pickup truck, cargo trailer, and several high-dollar lawnmowers. Officials say that on Oct. 24 several individuals were involved in the theft of a truck and cargo trailer from the parking lot of the Douglas Holiday Inn Express. The truck was a 2002 Ford F-250, dark blue in color, with a silver stripe at the bottom. The cargo trailer was a 20’ Diamond Cargo, silver in color. The truck and trailer were later used in…

The Fountain Inn, which has become notorious for being a hotbed of criminal activity locally, was the site once again last week for a drug arrest and violent incident. According to a report from the Douglas Police Dept., officers were dispatched to the location last Thursday, Oct. 29, around 11 p.m. Police met with a 44-year-old male complainant who stated the offender, identifed as 40-year-old Daniel Joseph Crenshaw, had punched him in the face. A search of Crenshaw allegedly revealed an undisclosed amount of methamphetamine. Crenshaw was arrested at the scene and charged with simple battery and possession of a…

A 26-year-old Douglas woman was jailed last week after officers discovered she was driving with two toddlers, ages one and three, without safety restraints. Douglas police initiated a traffic stop last Monday, Oct. 26, just before 8 a.m. when they observed Shanda Yvette Hughes allegedly run a stop sign at the intersection of Thrash Circle and McDonald Rd. Officers observed the two children were riding unrestrained in the vehicle, and a roadside check of Hughes revealed her license was suspended. Hughes was cited for child restraint violations and arrested for driving with a suspended license.

Veteran patrol deputy Sgt. Lance Ragans was recently honored with being named as the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office’s officer of the year. Ragans began his career with the organization in April of 2001. He attended and completed the police academy and returned to work as a road deputy until February 2003, when he spent approximately six months in the criminal investigations division. Ragans later decided he wanted to return to road patrol duty and was promoted to his present position as a sergeant in March 2007. Sheriff’s officals stated Lance is probably one of the friendliest and most people-oriented deputies…

Despite a financial aid mishap that resulted in several staff rearrangements within the financial aid department and 40 students not being able to attend fall classes, South Georgia State College (SGSC) representatives stated today the school has realized a one percent increase in enrollment compared to one year ago. The total headcount for fall 2015, they said, is 2,636 students. A press release issued Tuesday by Walda Kight, Vice President for External Affairs, stated, “Positive factors that contributed to the increase include a 12.66 percent growth in new students, a 19.66 percent increase in Move On When Ready (MOWR) students…