Author: Staff Reports

How many times have cell phones gotten people in trouble and helped solve crimes? In the latest case, WhatsApp messages led Bahamian authorities investigating a burglary to bust an alleged South Georgia murder for hire plot. News outlets throughout the country have reported on the story. According to the reports, Lindsay Shiver, 36, of Thomasville, a former beauty pageant winner, allegedly planned to kill her husband, Robert Shiver, 38, an insurance company executive and former Auburn football player, with the help of her suspected lover. According to authorities, Lindsay was having an affair with Terrance Bethel, 28, whom…

Stephen Sisson of Hazlehurst did a pretty good impression of the Hamburglar on the evening of July 16 — right up until he was arrested after fleeing from a Jeff Davis County deputy in the Hazlehurst Circle K parking lot. In the ensuing investigation, officers found suspected cocaine and methamphetamine in his vehicle. A press release from the Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office states that a deputy was inside the Circle K when Sisson, who was walking out of the store, dropped a packet of mustard. The officer got Sisson’s attention to let him know he dropped the…

On Wednesday, July 12, an officer responded to a home on Tippin Drive after a 911 call was made in reference to threats between Deandre Clements, 34, and another individual. According to an incident report from the Douglas Police Department, Clements had allegedly threatened to “spray his house.” According to the report, a witness informed the officer that Clements came into the yard from behind the home and started yelling and cursing at the individuals on the property. This witness also stated that Clements then proceeded to pull out a gun and point it at an individual that…

It may be the hottest summer in a long time — and maybe the hottest summer ever — but the temperature didn’t have anything to do with an explosion at Sambo’s in Willacoochee Sunday afternoon. According to the Atkinson County Fire Department and Emergency Management Agency, there was a gas leak at the walk-up hamburger restaurant. Something in the air conditioning unit caused the gas to ignite, causing an explosion that could be heard several blocks away. Firefighters responded quickly and shut off the gas. Once the gas leak was off, firefighters went inside to make…

On July 16, a deputy responded to a call made by Heather Whitley, 50, claiming that a family member was allegedly beating her. When deputies arrived, she reported that this family member was not allowing her to eat and had beaten her with some type of board. As stated on the incident report, she told the deputy that the relative had hit her on the back. After observing the area where she claimed to have been struck, the deputy did not see any visible marks to support her claims. After further discussion with the deputies on scene, Whitley…

It’s always a good idea to obey all traffic laws if you allegedly have illegal drugs in your vehicle. A Douglas woman found that out the hard way on July 12. Officers from the Coffee County Drug Unit were patrolling Highway 221 North when they noticed a gold GMC Yukon turn on to Lakeside Drive. Officers noticed that the driver wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. The Yukon also had a cracked windshield. They stopped the vehicle on Lakeside Drive. The occupants, Shannon Taylor and Kenneth Weldon, gave consent to search the Yukon. The officers found suspected methamphetamine…

Late last month, officers from the Douglas Police Department arrested a 40-year-old Douglas woman for allegedly stealing a family member’s car. The suspect, Justine Damore, grabbed the victim’s keys when they fell out of her pocket in the bathroom, jumped out of a window, then took the car, according to a Douglas Police Department incident report. The report states that an officer responded to the call at an apartment complex on North Wheeler Avenue. The victim stated that the suspect, Justine Damore, does not have permission to use the car because she’s stolen it in the past. The…

Tyreek Hill is calling his shot. The Miami Dolphins wide receiver has vowed to surpass 2,000 receiving yards this season. That’s a mark that no NFL wide receiver has ever reached. The single-season record stands at 1,964, which Calvin Johnson set for the Detroit Lions in 2012. (It’s also worth noting that Johnson set the record in a 16-game season. As of last year, NFL teams now play a 17-game regular season.) Hill made the statement on his podcast “It Needed to Be Said.” He also all but guaranteed a Super Bowl win for the Dolphins.…

A 39-year-old Douglas man who had been released from prison on July 3 went back to jail on July 4 following a domestic dispute. A report from the Douglas Police Department states that an officer responded to an East Mitchell Street address around 11:30 a.m. on July 4 in reference to a domestic incident. As the officer neared the address, he noticed a female juvenile waving him down. The juvenile said that the suspect, identified as Robert Linton, 39, was inside hitting her mom. The officer went inside and saw the victim, who looked…

On July 6, officers from the Douglas Police Department arrested Christopher Crosby, 30, and charged him with aggravated assault by strangulation following a domestic dispute with his girlfriend. A report from the police department states that officers arrived at a home on Pineview Drive after getting a report of a domestic dispute. According to the report, the victim checked on Crosby’s mother, who was also at the house, then went into the bedroom where Crosby was. They ended up arguing and Crosby started choking her, the report states. She got away and ran to another room, where she…