Author: Staff Reports

The Douglas Police Department is actively searching for a man they say is responsible for vandalizing a vending machine at a local business and getting away with an unknown amount of cash. Officials stated that on April 11, officers from the Douglas Police Department responded to 1812 S. Peterson Ave. in Douglas Ga. (David’s Auto Sales) in reference to criminal damage to property. The complainant reported that an unknown individual made forced entry into the Coke machine at this location and removed an unknown amount of cash. Damage to the machine was in excess of $500. The attached photos show…

Officials with the Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit (DCDU) reported Monday that a chance encounter with an intoxicated man at Wal-Mart led to the discovery of numerous street and pharmaceutical drugs packaged for distribution. Authorities said on Friday, April 10, the Douglas Police Department was dispatched to a forgery complaint at Wal-Mart. While on location, officers encountered an intoxicated person inside the store, and arrested the individual, indentified as Dickie McLendon. McLendon was found to be in possession methamphetamine (packaged for sale), Valium, Lorcet, Methadone (all packaged for sale), Ecstasy, and marijuana. Oofficers notified the DCDU, who subsequently McLendon with possession of…

Coffee County Sheriff’s Office officials said Monday they are still awaiting autopsy results to determine the official cause of death of Jose Mendez Diaz, whose body was discovered in a small pond off Mahogany Road on April 6. Diaz had been the center of a missing person investigation that expanded over a two-week period in the Oak Park Community and involved a large scale ground and aerial search. The body was sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s crime lab, where an autopsy was performed and a positive identification was made. The autopsy, which was performed by a GBI forensic…

The Coffee Middle school boys golf team went undefeated this season and took home the region championship recently, winning by over 30 strokes. Pictured above, left to right, are David Jump, Huner Moore, Joseph DeLoach, Anson Drury, Jr., Avery Greer, and Will Spivey, who earned the region’s low medalist honor.

A raid conducted by the Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit on Thursday resulted in the arrest of two men and the discovery of suspected methamphetamine, along with an array of pharmaceuticals and other drugs. Authorities stated today that drug agents executed a search warrant at a residence on Nature Trail in Ambrose following a brief investigation. During the search, detectives and K-9 officers discovered over an ounce of methamphetamine, a quantity of Oxycodone tablets, Xanax tablets, several vials of steroids, syringes, and marijuana. Detectives are still investigating the possession of the steroids, Oxycodone, and Xanax, officials said. As a result of the…

A body discovered floating in a pond in the Oak Park community earlier this week has been confirmed as that of missing Douglas man Jose Mendez Diaz. Diaz was reported missing late last month after he failed to return home from a friend’s house in an area off Gum Street. Authorities launched an intensive search for Diaz in the Oak Park community, speaking to residents and performing searches in the areas around his last known location. The area was searched by helicopter, with the assistance of the Georgia State Patrol, by foot, four-wheelers, golf carts and with the help of…

Authorities with the Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit reported today that one person was arrested Wednesday following a traffic stop in which officers discovered a large amount of street drugs packaged for distribution. Officials stated that K-9 officers initiated a traffic stop on U.S. Hwy. 441 in Douglas, in which they discovered a quantity of ecstasy tablets, marijuana (packaged for sale), methamphetamine (packaged for sale), and a .380 caliber handgun. A passenger in the vehicle, identified as William Charles Odell, was arrested for possession of ecstasy (MDMA) with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine with…

An 18-year-old Douglas man faces two charges, including one felony count of cruelty to children, following an alleged assault on a juvenile victim that occurred last week. Keegan Lamar Howell was arrested for battery and first degree cruelty to children for allegedly beating a 15-year-old male by punching and kicking him, according to an incident report obtained through the Douglas Police Department. Officers responded to the area of Friendly Rentals at 522 S. Peterson Ave. following the occurrence, where witnesses provided Howell’s identification. He was located and arrested a short time later. In Georgia, first degree cruelty to children occurs…

City of Douglas police officials reported Tuesday morning they have arrested a local man on robbery charges after he allegedly hijacked a victim and forced him to withdraw cash from an ATM. Officers from the Douglas Police Department responded to a robbery in the 1300 block of S. Madison Ave.on Wednesday, April 1. The victim stated he was walking to his vehicle when he was approached by an individual asking for money. The victim told police he advised the individual that he did not have any money and he got into his vehicle to leave. The alleged offender then got…

Evidence collected following the attempted armed robbery of a local pizza delivery driver in December has resulted in the arrest and incarceration of one man this week, Douglas police officials reported Monday. The Douglas Police Department responded to an attempted armed robbery on Sibbett Ave. on Dec. 17, 2014. The intended victim, a local pizza delivery driver, stated that when he arrived at the delivery location he was confronted by two individuals, one of whom was carrying a metal bar. The two offenders fled the scene when the victim produced a handgun. An investigator was called to the…