Published Sunday, January 04, 2009

Suspect charged with shoplifting DVD

The Times-Herald

The movie title mentioned a curse, and that's probably how a Newnan man felt after being charged with shoplifting a sequel.

Newnan Police Department Officer James Beneke's report dated Dec. 17 says the police were contacted by employees of Blockbuster Video on Bullsboro Drive and told that a possible shoplifter wearing a red and orange jacket was lurking in the store.

When lawmen arrived, Blockbuster officials said the potential perpetrator had just left and was on a bicycle in nearby woods. Officers walked over and confronted the man, who was identified as Jeremiah Reeves. A search of Reeves' pocket revealed a copy of a DVD titled, "The Mummy, Curse of the Dragon."

Reeves told officers it was his DVD from home. A return trip to Blockbuster revealed an empty DVD case that had once held a copy of "The Mummy, Curse of the Dragon." Reeves' day did not have a happy ending.

The following unrelated incidents were reported by the Newnan Police Department:

*On Dec. 16, phone-related domestic issues led to the arrest of Gala Rena Robinson for interference with a 911 call. According to a report filed by NPD officer Zachery Anderson, officers were alerted to a problem at 14 Peachtree St., Newnan, after a 911 call came in from an unidentified male who said he was being "jumped on." The call was interrupted before it ended. Officials at 911 called back and told officers they heard what sounded like an argument before the phone went dead again.

Upon arrival at the residence, officers interviewed Robinson, who said she had not jumped on the caller, identified as Jerry Mitchell. Robinson then accused Mitchell of stealing some of her sausage and selling it. An argument ensued. Mitchell said he was attempting to call 911 when Robinson knocked the phone from his hand. Twice.

Robinson was then arrested and charged.

*Officer Daniel Godfrey reported that on Dec. 17, he received word from Rosemary Colton that a male was knocking on her 10 Davis St. windows and yelling obscenities.

When Godfrey arrived at the scene, Allen Tennie, Jr. was yelling at the Colton residence. When officer Godfrey inquired as to the nature of the disturbance, Tennie was quoted in the report as saying, "---- you, I'm after my check." A partly-consumed bottle of vodka in Tennie's possession was confiscated and he was booked for public drunk.

*On Dec. 17, Officer Scott Kilgore responded to 9 Jones Street, Newnan, to investigate a complaint about a man causing a disturbance.

Kilgore found the man, identified later as Vinson Edward Whatley, and asked him to calm down. After several unsuccessful attempts to coax Whatley into silence, Kilgore placed him under arrest and the screaming continued at the county jail while Whatley was being booked for disorderly conduct. The report said alcohol was involved.

*Officer Beatrice Freeman reported that on Dec. 17 she responded to a call at the Publix on Lower Fayetteville Road to investigate a complaint by April Lynn Martin. Martin said while she was shopping, she was approached by two women who started a conversation while praising Martin's baby seated in a baby carrier. Martin says while she chatted, she believes one of the women lifted her wallet from the purse perched beneath the baby seat. Martin ran outside and saw the two women flee in a silver Isuzu. Both potential purse snatchers were caught on surveillance video and the investigation continues.

* Connie Colton reported on Dec. 18 that someone entered her Belmont Park Drive residence and left with cash. According to a report by Officer James Beneke, Colton said when she came home, she found a window kicked in and her residence ransacked. Colton said the only thing missing was $800 in cash she had hidden in a hanging plant holder. Colton stated no one else knew where the money was hidden.