The following information is gleaned from incident reports, which are public record, from the Jones County Sheriff’s Department and Gray Police Department Oct. 24-30, 2024.
Oct. 24
Not safe to drive
Dep. Ribeiro was dispatched to the Gray Bypass at the roundabout in reference to an accident. Upon arrival, Ribeiro made contact with the female driver of the vehicle.
The female subject advised the deputy that she was traveling from Florida to Augusta to see family members. The female driver stated she got distracted, drove off into the median and struck a road sign. The driver advised that she just kept driving thinking she could make it to her destination.
The vehicle involved was missing the front bumper and driver side headlight along with a lot of damage to the hood, and a flat tire on the driver’s side. As Ribeiro continued to speak to the female driver, he noticed a strong odor of alcohol coming from her breath.
The deputy asked the female if she had been drinking, and the female advised she had “just one cup.” Ribeiro asked how big of a cup she had, and the female stated it was about a 12 ounce cup. The female subject’s eyes were watery, and she had very slurred speech.
Deputy Langston arrived on scene and Ribeiro asked if he would check the roadway for any damage. Langston was able to locate a road sign that had damage. At that time, Ribeiro asked the female if she would perform a field sobriety test and the female agreed. During the test, the female had a hard time performing some of the requirements. Ribeiro asked the female driver if he could get the drink she had out of the vehicle and the female complied. The deputy located a large open bottle of vodka that was half empty.
When Ribeiro got the cup from the vehicle it also had the odor of alcohol inside. Ribeiro then administered the preliminary breath test. The female had a hard time standing and blowing during the breath test. The sample that came back showed a positive indication for alcohol. The deputy placed the female driver under arrest for driving under the influence/less safe. Ribeiro obtained a search warrant for a blood draw. Once the blood draw was done, the female was taken to the Jones County LEC and released to jail personnel.
Oct. 26
Offender on the run
Sgt. Walker received a flock camera alert of a wanted subject.
Walker immediately recognized the vehicle and the registered owner and knew it was a wanted sex offender who had previously run away from another deputy a few days prior. Walker turned around and positioned his patrol vehicle near the wanted subject’s residence as the camera that alerted was in the proximity of the residence of the subject. Walker stated his “spidy” senses were correct. Walker came in view of the subject’s vehicle directly across the street at a red light. As soon as the light turned green, Walker activated his blue lights and sirens and attempted to cut the vehicle off, but the subject went around him in the grass refusing to stop.
Walker then began pursuit. The male subject fled to his residence and exited his vehicle and ran into the woods. Walker gave several verbal commands for the male to stop but he continued to run. As Walker continued the foot chase, he managed to get close enough to the male subject and tased him in the back and thigh resulting in full body lockdown. The offender was searched, and, in his pocket, he was carrying a stun gun. The male subject was transported to the Jones County LEC where he was charged with fleeing and attempting to elude, open container and obstruction.
Oct. 28
No insurance and marijuana
Dep. Langston was patrolling the area of New Clinton Rd. and Adahi Drive when he received a hit off of a flock camera showing expired registration and no insurance on a vehicle. Langston located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. As soon as the deputy made contact with the male driver, he immediately smelled the odor of marijuana inside the vehicle. Langston asked the male driver for his driver’s license, and the male advised that he did not have it on his person but did have a passport. The male subject tried to verify with his insurance company the coverage on his vehicle, however the company showed that there was no valid insurance. At that time, Langston called for another unit to assist on scene. When the next available unit arrived, Langston began a search of the vehicle. During the search, the deputy located an alcoholic beverage bottle in the driver’s side door pocket, two more open bottles of alcoholic beverages and a clear plastic bag containing marijuana in the back seat of the vehicle. The male driver was transported to the Jones County LEC and turned over to Jail Staff.
Oct. 30
Convicted felon with firearm
Dep. Marcum was dispatched to assist Dep. Carr, Dep. Hall, and Lt. Nelson with a suspicious person on Gray Hwy. near Rock Creek. The suspect was already in custody when Marcum arrived on scene and his belongings were being searched. In his belongings was a Derringer 22 pistol. A criminal history search was done, and it came back to show the male subject was a convicted felon. Marcum arrested the male for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The male was transported to the Jones County LEC where he was released to Jail Staff.
