The following information is gleaned from incident reports, which are public record, from the Jones County Sheriff’s Department and Gray Police Department Dec. 14-17, 2024.
Dec. 14
Test drive gone bad
Officer Pointer was patrolling the area of Bill Conn Parkway when he ran a tag number to check for insurance verification. While checking the tag, it came back to show that the registered owner had a suspended tag, no insurance and a suspended driver’s license.
Pointer fell in behind the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. The officer made contact with the male driver and two other passengers and advised the reason for the stop. The male driver advised Pointer that he was just taking the car on a “test drive.” Pointer explained to the male subject that the vehicle still had to have insurance and he still needed a valid driver’s license to operate a vehicle. The male driver was placed in handcuffs and secured in the officer’s patrol car. The other two passengers were allowed to leave the stop. Pointer printed citations for no insurance and suspended driver’s license and issued a warning on the suspended tag. The male subject was then transported to the Jones County LEC where he signed the citations and turned over to jail staff for booking.
Dec. 15
Alert from tag reader
Officer Pointer was on patrol when he was alerted by his incar tag reader of a vehicle with an expired tag. Pointer caught up to the vehicle, activated his emergency lights and conducted a traffic stop. When the officer made contact with the male driver, he immediately detected the strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. The officer asked the male driver about the odor, and the male began just looking around inside the vehicle.
The male was muttering words and was not complying with the officer. Pointer also noticed that the vehicle was still in drive and advised multiple times for the male to put the vehicle in park, however the male would not comply. At that time, Pointer called for Lt. Lovick to be in route to his location to assist. After several times ordering the male driver commands, the male began to comply with Pointer. When the officer had the male driver step out of the vehicle, he noticed a big bulge in the male’s front pocket. Pointer placed the male in handcuffs and did a pat down check of his person. The officer located a clear baggy of a green leafy substance, some loose cigar wraps, some headphones and a wadded-up paper towel in the male’s front pocket. Pointer secured the male in his patrol vehicle while he waited on a backup unit. Lt. Lovick arrived on scene. Pointer was able to search the inside of the vehicle and the only thing found was a partially burnt marijuana roach on top of the ash tray. Pointer printed citations for the male for the traffic offenses as well as possession of marijuana less than one ounce.
The male subject signed the citations and was transported to the Jones County LEC for booking.
Dec. 17
BOLO DUI
Deputy Marcum was notified by dispatch of a BOLO for a vehicle being driven by a female that was suspected to be intoxicated. The BOLO included a young juvenile was also in the vehicle. The caller wished to remain anonymous.
Marcum and Deputy Tserpelis spotted the vehicle in a parking lot off Joycliff Road. Marcum witnessed the vehicle back out of the parking lot and drive towards some nearby gas pumps. At that time, Marcum activated his blue lights and conducted a traffic stop.
Deputy Brown arrived on scene to assist. Marcum made contact with the female driver and advised her that her vehicle matched a BOLO that had just been aired. While speaking to the female driver, Marcum could smell a strong odor of alcohol emitting from her person and inside the vehicle. The deputy requested the female’s driver’s license. The female driver advised Marcum that she and her husband had just gotten into an argument, and she left to go to the store and get some water. Marcum asked the female if she had consumed any alcohol and she stated “yes.” The deputy asked the female to exit the vehicle so he could determine if she was safe to drive. The female driver advised the deputy that she had “two shooters” at a restaurant in Macon. The female’s eyes were watery and bloodshot however, Marcum cleared the female to perform the Standardized Field Sobriety Test. The female did not do well on the standardized test.
Marcum asked the female if she would provide a breath sample on the Preliminary Breath Test. The female stated she would, but she had conditions to doing the test.
Marcum took her “conditions” as a refusal of the test and at that time, placed the female under arrest for DUI less safe and DUI child endangerment. The female was read her Georgia implied consent notice for suspects over the age of 21 and requested a blood test. The female agreed to the blood draw and Marcum transported her to the Jones County LEC and released to jail staff.
