WANTED IN DRIVE-BY SHOOTING

Aiken Public Safety investigators are looking for Ernest Croft (above) in connection with a drive by shooting that took place on Thursday. Mr. Croft is 6-feet tall, 145 pounds. His last known address is Mississippi Avenue in Aiken. Mr. Croft should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information on this suspect is asked to contact the Aiken Department of Public Safety: (803) 642-7620. Individuals also should call Crimestoppers of the Midlands: (888) CRIME – SC. Callers can remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of between $50 and $1,000.

Bad Boys, Bad Checks

Three men have been arrested over the weekend for passing fraudulent checks.

Top photo - Gregory Aiken, 42, of Aiken (yes, the name's right), is charged with six counts of fraudulent checks.

Middle photo - Daniel Richardson, 31, of Aiken, is charged with three counts of fraudulent checks.

Bottom photo - Bryant Smith, 35, of Beech Island, is charged with two counts of fraudulent checks as well as disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Ask for cash from these guys!

Busted for Drugs in a Neighboring County

Charles Kennedy's in trouble again for drugs, this time in a different county.

The 32-year-old Augusta man was arrested Saturday in Columbia County on a felony charge of obtaining dangerous drugs by fraud. (top mugshot)

If Charles looks familiar, it's because he was featured on the front page of The Jail Report over the summer following his arrest for criminal attempted possession of dangerous drugs (bottom mugshot). That charge was filed by Richmond County authorities. Plus, it's hard to miss Charles with his distinctive neck tattoo.

As you can probably tell, the Richmond County Jail takes better mugshots. (No offense, Columbia County. You just need a flash or something to add more lighting.)

Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor

How can teenagers be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor?

In Augusta, authorities arrested 18-year-old Cameron Janiak of Augusta on the offense Friday. Seems kind of absurd for someone so young to be harming another minor when he's barely an adult himself.

But according to experts, if the older of the people involved used coercion or intimidation to influence the younger person or persons to commit an act contrary to existing laws, it is possible for the older youth to be subjected to such a charge or status violation.

Poor Treatment of Animals

Monroe Hall III, 17, of Warrenville, was arrested early this morning by Aiken County authorities and charged with ill treatment of animals.

The full description of the charge is interesting. It says "ill treatment of animals - in general, overworking."

Revealed: The Woman at the ATM

You've probably seen the image all over the TV and on our blog. The woman with colorful sunglasses is shown on surveillance video using an ATM machine. Police say she was using someone else's ATM card at the SRP Credit Union on West Martintown Road in North Augusta.

Well, the woman was identified and arrested this week, according to Lt. Tim Pearson with North Augusta Public Safety. Her mugshot is pictured here along with the original surveillance image.

Vanessa M. Phillips, 25, of West Buena Vista Avenue, North Augusta, was located at her residence and placed under arrest on one count of credit card theft.

Based on her smile in the mugshot, Ms. Phillips apparently thought the whole thing was hilarious. Personally, we don't think stealing someone else's credit card and taking their money is funny at all. Can we get an 'Amen'?!

Woman Wanted in February Shooting

The Aiken Standard is reporting today that Aiken public safety officers are looking for 32-year-old Rebecca Ann Moses.

According to the newspaper, Ms. Moses is wanted by police as an accessory to a shooting earlier this year. She allegedly withheld information from police about the incident that sent a man to the hospital with severe injuries.

Unfortunately, Rebecca was just in custody on a larceny charge and was featured in The Jail Report this week. (See mugshot above.)

According to The Standard, Aiken authorities have issued warrants against Ms. Moses' on allegations she went out with the men reportedly involved in the shooting, learned of the assault and knowingly withheld information from the police.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts can call the Aiken Department of Public Safety at 803-642-7620. You may also call Crimestoppers of the Midlands at 888-CRIME-SC (888-274-6372).

Captured - One of Aiken County's Most Wanted

This week, The Jail Report featured several people who are WANTED in Aiken County for violent assaults. One of them is Mae Baughman, 34, of Aiken, who was being sought for assault & battery of a high and aggravated nature.

Tonight, Ms. Baughman turned herself into the Aiken County Detention Center and was booked on the felony charge.

The jail is a familiar place for the Aiken woman. Ms. Baughman's been there at least three other times since 2002, according to jail records. She's previously been charged with criminal domestic violence, marijuana possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and providing false information to police.

This week, the sheriff's office is featuring "Deadbeat Moms," as their Most Wanted individuals.

Arrest in Overnight Shooting

Richmond County investigators have made an arrest in last night’s shooting of Lester Hinson on Andorra Drive.

This afternoon, investigators arrested 21-year-old Cabastain Dion Jenkins at his residence, 3656 Woodlake Rd. in Hephzibah.

Mr. Jenkins will be charged with aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and entering an auto. He is being held at the Richmond County Detention Center.

The suspect also had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for violating probation. Investigators are in the process of executing a search warrant at Mr. Jenkins’ residence. Investigators also expect another arrest in the case.

Mr. Hinson was shot in the chest when confronting two men who were breaking into his car. He is listed in stable condition at a local hospital.

Pretty Girls, Pretty Drunk

In separate incidents Thursday, Richmond County authorities arrested these three women on charges of driving under the influence and failure to maintain lane.

Jessica Smith, 24, of Hephzibah (top photo)

Richeon Taylor, 23, of Augusta (middle photo)

Kayla Weathers, 21, of Martinez (bottom photo)

Looks like the Richmond County DUI Task Force has been working hard!

Drunk Driving on a Thursday night

Matthew Silvester, 34, of New Ellenton, is smirking for his most recent mugshot. (Top photo.)

We don't know why. It's his second time being arrested for DUI in Aiken County. This time, New Ellenton police pulled him over Thursday night and busted him for being impaired. They also realized he was not supposed to be driving since his driver's license was suspended for a previous DUI arrest.

According to jail records, Mr. Silvester got arrested by the South Carolina Highway Patrol on Oct. 7 for drunk driving. (Bottom photo.) In that case, he was also accused of causing property damage in a hit & run.

We're not sure we'd be grinning for our mugshot with such serious charges on our record.

Couple Charged with Stealing from Goodwill

An Augusta woman and her husband have been charged with stealing clothes from the donation area of the Peach Orchard Goodwill.

Phillip Barrett, 22, and his wife, Samantha Barrett, 22 (shown here), were each arrested on Monday and charged with misdemeanor theft by taking.

The couple are accused of stealing more than $400 worth of clothing and other items from the donation area outside of the Goodwill on Peach Orchard Road. Loss Prevention Officer Brian Grady reported the thefts, telling authorities he had video surveillance of thefts occurring repeatedly between May 30 and July 12.

In an interview today with The Jail Report, Mr. Barrett called the matter a misunderstanding. He said he's never been to the donation area of Goodwill. Mr. Barrett said his wife has been there to donate items and ran into a woman donating children's clothes and "a bouncy thing."

"The lady gave her some stuff," Mr. Barrett said. "She told her she could have it."

Mr. Barrett said he manages a cab company and wouldn't need to steal from Goodwill. He doesn't believe that investigators actually have a videotape.

It sounds like Mr. Barrett intends to fight the charges in court.

(By the way, Mr. Barrett said the name "Selena" tattooed on his neck is the name of his daughter.)

Bloody Fight with Officer

Here's the story behind this bloody mugshot.

This is Jimmy Lee Stokes III, 33, of Augusta. Deputy Eugene Brantley stopped him in a 2007 Dodge Magnum on Monday evening for running a red light on Wrightsboro Road, according to a sheriff's report. When the deputy ran the suspect's name on his computer, he discovered that Mr. Stokes was wanted in Columbia County on a charge of credit card fraud.

The deputy announced he was placing Mr. Stokes under arrest and tried to escort him back to his patrol car. But the suspect resisted and started running away, the report states.

"A brief chase and fight ensued as Stokes attempted to escape before wrestling him to the ground and placing him under arrest," Deputy Brantley wrote in his report. "Stokes sustained a laceration to the back of his head, a small fracture to his left leg and other small scrapes and bruises."

Deputy Brantley suffered small scrapes on the knuckles of both hands.

Mr. Stokes was transported to the Medical College of Georgia for treatment before being taken to jail. And instead of a simple traffic violation and Columbia County charge, Mr. Stokes' decision to fight arrest has resulted in three more charges, fleeing or attempting to elude and two counts of obstruction of a law enforcement officer.

Murder Suspect Caught!

The Richmond County Sheriff's Office has captured Kelvin Steffor Johnson (above) in last night's slaying of Martha Greene on Plantation Road. (See story below for details of the double shooting and murder.)

Mr. Johnson was arrested at 7:30 am today on Boykin Road and booked on charges of murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

Killing in Hephzibah; Suspect on the Run in Victim's Truck!

Two people were shot around 7 p.m. tonight at 2292 Plantation Rd., in Hephzibah. Authorities were called to the scene and found a man shot in the face and his wife dead from at least one gunshot wound.

No names have been released. The man was taken to MCG where he is currently being treated.

Investigators have learned the following:

o The suspect rode to the couples house on a small BMX style bike, dark blue. The bike was too small for the suspect.

o After a brief conversation, the suspect pulled a gun, at which time the male victim struggled with the suspect.

o The suspect shot the male in the face, at which time he fell to the floor and “played dead”.

o The suspect then shot the man’s wife at least one time.

o The suspect rummaged through the residence taking several items, to include a new model “big-screen television”

o The suspect then left the scene in the victim’s pick-up truck.

Here is a description of the suspect: Black Male, 18 to 20 years old, slender but muscular, 5-05 to 5-09 in height, low cut but bushy hair, no shirt, blue jeans, wearing four to five gold necklaces with medallions.

Vehicle: 1997 Chevrolet C1500 pick-up truck, Z71, white in color, no tint on windows, factory wheels, chrome hand rails around the bed, chrome toolbox in the bed, with Georgia Tag 904 TJL. A photo of the same model truck is pictured here.

"The suspect is believed to reside nearby, due to riding a bicycle to the scene," said Lt. Scott Peebles.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at 706-821-1080 or the tip line at 866-939-5050. A reward will be offered, though a dollar amount is not yet specified. Callers may remain anonymous.

Teen in Trouble

The Richmond County Sheriff's Office released this mugshot today of Britany Nicole McGee, 19, of Augusta. She's barely an adult and already facing two felonies for credit card fraud.

Britany was busted on Tuesday and booked into the Richmond County Detention Center.

Nothing Better to Do

A North Augusta teenager's been busted overnight for destroying city property.

Joseph Tomes, 18, was arrested at 1:40 am today on a single county of destruction of city property. He's being held in the Aiken County Detention Center.

Details on the property that he allegedly destroyed were not immediately available.

Help Catch a Crook in North Augusta!

Recognize this person? The person pictured here is suspected of using someone else’s ATM card at the SRP Credit Union at 403 West Martintown Road, North Augusta on August 7 without their permission.

Anyone with information should notify North Augusta Public Safety at (803) 279-2121. Thanks for your assistance!

The Source

Aiken County authorities have arrested Dowell Fulmer, 45, of Aiken, on a felony charge of manufacturing marijuana. He was busted Monday afternoon.

Mr. Fulmer is no stranger to Aiken County authorities. He's been in their jail many, many times before. Previous charges include criminal domestic violence, assault, shoplifting, probation violation, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, malicious injury to property and harassment.

GOTCHA! SERIAL ROBBER CAUGHT

A shameless Calvin White smiled for his mugshot this morning after his capture in connection with a string of six robberies in Augusta.

Authorities put an end to the man’s month-long robbery spree with his arrest at 1:30 a.m. Tuesday at the corner of Eve Street and Watkins Street.

The 28-year-old suspect has been identified as the bank robber who held up the Georgia Bank & Trust on 8th Street last week. In addition, he’s been fingered as the suspect in five other robberies, including the robbery of the Econo Lodge on 15th Street on Sunday afternoon and the Subway on 13th Street on Monday evening.

The break came Sunday when a robbery victim saw the man who had robbed her preparing to enter a hotel.

“She called the front desk of the hotel and advised them to lock the door, which they were able to do before the suspect could enter,” said Lt. Scott Peebles. “The victim then obtained the tag number.”

Moments later, the suspect robbed the Econo Lodge. By late Monday, investigators had found the truck that the victim had seen, along with the truck’s driver. While securing warrants for Mr. White’s arrest, Subway was robbed and Mr. White was identified as the suspect from video surveillance, which was obtained in all of the robberies.

Mr. White has been identified as the suspect in six robberies:
• Aug. 10: Walton Way Supermarket, 1931 Walton Way
• Aug. 10: Budget Inn, 444 Broad St.
• Aug. 14: Budget Inn, 444 Broad St.
• Aug. 20 Georgia Bank and Trust, 32 8th St.
• Aug. 23: Econo Lodge, 1103 15th St.
• Aug. 24: Subway, 203 13th St.

Charge: Wagener Man Took Advantage of Disabled Woman

A Wagener man has continually exploited a mentally disabled woman and ripped her off numerous times, according to a sheriff’s report.

Thomas Warren, 36, of Wagener, was charged last week with three counts of forgery and one count of breach of trust with fraudulent intent.

According to a sheriff’s report, the suspect took advantage of a 49-year-old Wagener woman and forged documents to get money.

The victim’s sister, Cheryl Abraham, called the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office last week to report the crime.

Mr. Warren allegedly took the victim to buy a red 1999 Ford F-150 pickup truck, and the disabled woman hasn’t seen him since he drove off the lot of a local dealership in her truck.

“He had her pass personal checks for merchandise he received under a promise of repayment and had her wire money claiming he’d been arrested and needed bail money,” a sheriff's report states.

Mr. Warren is also accused of getting the disabled woman to pawn the title to her Toyota Tundra and give him the money.

According to the sheriff’s report, Mr. Warren has been exploiting the victim since March 1.

Augusta Man Wanted for Beating Son

Richmond County investigators are looking for 26-year-old Christopher Lavert Loggins for one count of cruelty to children in the first degree.

Mr. Loggins is accused of beating his 1 year old son with a belt Sunday at the home his apartment, 2150 B Street.

"The child was taken to the Medical College of Georgia for treatment of multiple welts and bruises and a ruptured spleen," Lt. Scott Peebles said in a press release. "The child is expected to make a full recovery. "

The suspect has family on the 2400 Block of Lumpkin Road and may be in that area. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at 706-821-1080 or the tip line at 866-939-5050.

A Shoplifter's Love of Nike

Joseph Wright, 42, of Aiken, apparently has a fascination with Nike.

His arrest Sunday afternoon for shoplifting led to the top mugshot and the appearance of the Nike swoosh tattooed on his neck.

But if that's not enough evidence of his Nike worship, a previous 2003 mugshot by Aiken County jailers (bottom photo) shows him sporting a shirt with a name of the sportswear supplier. We're not sure what he's accused of stealing in Aiken over the weekend, but we could venture an educated guess.

And for the record, Mr. Wright's previous encounters with the law include charges of assault & battery, failure to pay child support, grand larceny, and disorderly conduct.

Repeat Offender - Chad Moseley

Chad Moseley, 21, of Aiken, has been arrested four times since 2007. And every time, he couldn't seem to close his mouth for his mugshot, appearing like he's bewildered by the charges against him.

In one mugshot, he's got tissues going through the holes in his ears. We can only guess that jailers forced Chad to remove his earrings, and he wanted to keep the holes open with the tissue.

His most recent arrest was Saturday night, when Aiken Public Safety officers arrested him for failure to comply with their orders. That's the mugshot at top.

We've included his previous mugshots. Here are the dates of arrest and charges at the time:

Aug. 27, 2007: Assault & battery (bottom mugshot)
Nov. 7, 2007: Assault & battery (second to last photo)
April 9, 2008: DUI (picture with tissue in ears)

Driving 102 mph With No License

If you don't have a driver's license, wouldn't it be smart to avoid drawing attention to yourself?

Not 19-year-old Raymundo Quiahua.

Authorities say the teenager was traveling along Interstate 20 through Aiken County at 102 mph when he got stopped at 5 pm Saturday. His excessive speed was enough for officers to send him to the jail. But the South Carolina Highway Patrol also determined that the Atlanta teenager didn't have a driver's license.

Raymundo might be rethinking things this morning as he continues to sit in the Aiken County Detention Center on the two charges.

Columbia County shooting

The Augusta Chronicle is reporting today on a Friday night arrest of an Appling man for allegedly shooting his great-nephew in the abdomen after a domestic argument at their home.

Here's the mugshot of 61-year-old Carlton Timothy Hardin, who is charged with aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

Hunting Out of Season

A Salley man's been arrested for hunting birds out of season.

Michael Thomas, 35, of Salley, was arrested Friday night by officials with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). He was charged with hunting migratory bird out of season and an additional count of preparing a baited area for migratory bird.

Dressed in a camouflage shirt, Mr. Thomas was booked into the Aiken County Detention Center at 11 pm and remains there this morning.

A SCDNR press release addresses the dates allowed for hunting mourning doves, marsh hens (rails), woodcock, snipe, moorhens, purple gallinules, teal and Canada geese.

Interesting Charges in Aiken County

Aiken County made a pair of interesting arrests over the last 24 hours:

Elroy Williams, 48, of Aiken (top photo), was busted for fraudulent acquisition of food stamps as well as assault & battery.

Jordan Bailey, 24, of Charlotte, was arrested in Aiken County on charges of parking in a handicapped space and marijuana possession.

Third Cross-Dresser Arrested in Aiken County

Aiken County has custody of its third cross-dresser in the last month.

Eric Jamal Burton, 23, of Johnston was arrested this morning for driving under suspension (second offense), giving false information to police and disregarding a stop sign. The 5-feet,6-inch tall man came in wearing long hair and makeup. He's been placed in his own cell, Aiken County jailers say.

We've included mugshots from his previous arrests. He was arrested previously in 2004 and 2005 for shoplifting, failure to comply with officer's order, grand larceny, and false information.

The Aiken County Detention Center has hosted two other cross-dressers in the last month. "That is the most I've seen," a jailer told The Jail Report.

Look at this T-shirt & Help Catch a Killer!

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is offering a $1,000 cash reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect involved in the slaying of the Darryl Lamar Walden (above). The shooting occurred about 9 pm Monday at 2243 Rosier Road (Salem Arms Apartments) in front of building #23, Augusta.

The T-shirt (top picture) was worn by the suspect at the time of the incident. All information will be kept confidential and callers can remain anonymous. If you have any information concerning the homicide, please contact any violent crimes investigator at the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at 706-821-1020 or 706-821-1080.

The Jail Report Featured on Channel 12

Channel 12 (WRDW) will feature The Jail Report at 6pm today. The news broadcast will have an interview with Publisher Greg Rickabaugh, where he is asked how the mugshot paper is helping to fight crime and catch crooks in the CSRA. Be sure to watch!

Drug-Induced Attack. We've got the Mugshot.

The Augusta Chronicle has an interesting story on an Augusta man arrested Wednesday after doing cocaine and then attacking two people and barricading himself in his bedroom before authorities arrested him.

The Chronicle's got full details, but we've got the mugshot of the suspect, 23-year-old Todd Wayne Griffey. He is charged with aggravated assault, armed robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of marijuana less than an ounce.

Making Meth in south Augusta

A man and a woman from Richmond County were each charged with manufacturing methamphetamines this week.

Angela Renee Grubbs, 40, of Hephzibah (above), was arrested Tuesday on the felony charge of manufacturing methamphetamine and an additional charge of possessing methamphetamine.

James Malone, 38, of Augusta (below), was arrested Monday on a single count of manufacturing methamphetamine.