Author: Staff Reports

The Coffee County Sheriff’s Office is hoping the public can help identify a man captured on video during a recent burglary at a local convenience store. Investigators say that on July 7, the Valero Minute Mart at Ga. Hwy. 32 W. and Warren Carter Road was burglarized. Video surveillance turned over to detectives revealed a tall, thin black male as the offender. Officials state they also believe there was an accomplice waiting in a vehicle outside near the roadway. Anyone with information that could help identify the suspect is asked to contact the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office at (912) 384-4227, Coffee…

Coffee County Sheriff’s authorities released more information Saturday night regarding the case of missing teenager Paige Tanner. As it turns out, she was never really missing at all. Officials stated that Coffee County deputies were dispatched to Heidi Lane Thursday afternoon in reference to a missing person. The deputy was advised by the complainant that she and her daughter had gotten into a verbal argument earlier in the day, and the daughter had left the residence driving a 2005 Chevrolet truck. The mother stated she had not been able to make contact with the daughter by phone or through friends.…

An unknown person reportedly made two bomb threats to local employment agencies Friday afternoon that were ultimately deemed false alarms. Douglas Police Chef Gary Casteloes stated officers responded to the Georgia Dept. of Labor on Lockwood Dr. and Labor Finders on N. Perterson Ave. after each agency reported receiving bomb threats. Casteloes said both scenes were secured and cleared within a short period of time. The police chief added that one person is believed to be responsible for the threats and the case remains under investigation.

Two men have been arrested and charged in a residential theft that was caught on surveillance video and posted to social media earlier this month. On July 1, the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office released a video of a theft in progress and requested help from citizens in identifying the unknown persons in the video. Officials stated Thursday that information from the community began coming in immediately, which led to the arrest of 31-year-old James Ervin Thomas of Ware County on July 2. The lawn mower that was shown being taken in the video was recovered. The other suspect was later…

Douglas – Coffee Drug Unit (DCDU) authorities reported Wednesday night that a Douglas man was arrested on drug distribution charges following the execution of a search warrant at a residence in the Oak Park community. DCDU detectives, along with Coffee County Sheriff’s Office deputies, executed a search warrant at 93 Mahogany Rd., where they seized an ‘eight’ ball of methamphetamine and a small quantity of pain pills. Trey ‘Dud’ Chauncey, 40, of Douglas was arrested for possession of a scheduled controlled substance and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Wendy Harper (33) of Wray was also arrested…

Local florist and author Randy Wooten will be launching his first book, Jubilation, this Thursday beginning at 4:30 p.m. at Delorice’s Florist. Wooten debuted Jubilation July 1 at the The National Symposium of the American Institute Of Floral in Denver, Colorado. A fourth generation florist and president of the Georgia State Florist’s Association, Randy Wooten has been owner of Delorice’s Florist since 2003. In addition, he has traveled the country speaking on many subjects such as sympathy, wedding events, everyday designs and conducting hands-on workshops. Wooten is very excited about the release of his book, which was…

A 41-year-old Waycross woman was killed over the weekend after being struck by a train while walking. Authorities stated Jessica Elaine Parker was walking along S. Nichols Street when she disregarded an activated crossing bar just prior to 3 a.m. Sunday. She was hit by the lead engine of a CSX train near the intersection of S. Nichols and Francis St. Parker’s body was launched nearly 70 ft. west of the railroad crossing, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. No charges have been filed in the case. Parker’s body has been sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s…