Hephzibah Officer Avoids Shooting During Stop

A corporal with the Hephzibah Police Department came close to being shot Monday during a traffic stop, but the officer was able to keep the vehicle's driver from grabbing his weapon.

After the dust had settled, 22-year-old Darian Prater, 22 of Augusta (top), and 20-year-old Assalaam Lendor of North Augusta (bottom) fled the traffic stop but were captured. Mr. Prater was captured Wednesday and charged with attempting to remove an officer's weapon, obstruction of a law enforcement officer and possession of a weapon, according to authorities. Mr. Lendor was arrested Monday night and charged with obstruction of an officer.

Cpl. Hector Torres was investigating two suspicious males outside Family Dollar on Windsor Spring Road in Hephzibah on Monday night. A witness told the officer that he spotted two men wearing masks and lurking near the store.

A sheriff's report explains what happened when Cpl. Torres stopped the suspicious 2004 Dodge Stratus on Highway 88:

The driver and passenger immediately became aggravated with the officer and wouldn't allow him to explain the reason for the stop. Both men kept reaching for the car's floorboard despite the officer telling them to keep their hands in plain view.

The corporal called for backup from the sheriff's office, and when they arrived, he told the passenger to exit the car. When the passenger got out, Cpl. Torres noticed a gun on the floorboard and announced his discovery to the deputies. The passenger reacted by running away into a wooded area.

While deputies ran after the passenger, Cpl. Torres stayed with the driver, identified as Mr. Prater. The driver tried to run as well, but Cpl. Torres wrestled with him. While fighting, the driver attempted to take the officer's service weapon several times. The driver was eventually able to get loose and ran into the woods and got away.

A search of the abandoned car turned up two loaded handguns, black clothing and electronic scales.

The sheriff's report also indicates that Mr. Lendor was later captured and admitted to officers that Mr. Prater "had directed him to shoot Cpl. Torres" during the traffic stop.

Fortunately, that did not happen.

Third Arrest in Gang Assault

Another teenager has been charged in the violent gang assault of a Butler High School student.

This morning, Richmond County investigators arrested 14-year-old Joshua Plowright at his Richmond Hill Road residence. The teen is charged with aggravated battery and unlawful criminal street gang activity in connection with Monday’s attack on a teen on Circular Drive.

The investigation continues and more arrests will be made, according to Lt. Scott Peebles.

Also arrested in the assault earlier this week were Berten Blockett, 16, and Mark Daniel Richard Musick, 14. According to Lt. Peebles, the victim was walking home from school Monday afternoon when a group of about five young males attacked him without provocation. The victim suffered multiple facial fractures.

The two suspects arrested earlier this week were fellow classmates of the victim at Butler High School, where they were arrested. The juveniles claim to be members of the “Apple Valley Posse,” and the assault was gang-related, though the victim is not a gang member or affiliate, Lt. Peebles said.

Wife Beater ..and Beater...and Beater...

At least he doesn't have a smile on his face.

James Banks, 57, of North Augusta, was arrested on his FOURTH OFFENSE last night for criminal domestic violence.

This repeat offender has been repeatedly arrested for domestic violence in Aiken County. A look at his previous arrests:

• Sept. 3, 2005: Criminal domestic violence
• Sept. 20, 2005: DUI, possession of cocaine, no driver's license, open container
• Dec. 23, 2005: Criminal domestic violence of a high & aggravated nature
• Oct. 28, 2006: Driving under suspension, operating uninsured vehicle
• March 31, 2007: Criminal domestic violence of a high & aggravated nature, driving under suspension
• May 31, 2008: Driving under suspension
• Feb. 1, 2009: Criminal domestic violence

The records show he has actually been arrested FIVE TIMES for criminal domestic violence. We wonder whether he was charged with a fourth offense this week because he was found not guilty of one of those previous charges. Who knows?

But it seems like Mr. Banks should come with a Surgeon General's warning that being with him could be hazardous to your health.

RCSO: Gang Members Laugh After Vicious Attack

A 16-year-old Augusta boy was violently attacked Monday for no reason, and two teenage gang members were amused when confronted by sheriff's investigators, authorities said.

Two juveniles have been charged in the vicious assault on Circular Drive in Augusta. Berten Blockett, 16, (bottom) of Pineview Drive in Augusta, and Mark Daniel Richard Musick, 14, (top) of Fleming Drive in Augusta, have been charged with one count each of aggravated battery and unlawful criminal street gang activity.

According to Lt. Scott Peebles, the victim was walking his girlfriend home from school Monday afternoon when he was approached by a group of about five young males on Circular Drive. Upon seeing the subjects, the juvenile phoned his mother and told her that he was afraid that he was about to get “jumped”.

While on the phone with his mother, the boy was attacked by the group without any provocation. After the attack, the juvenile was taken by ambulance to University Hospital for treatment, but had to be transferred to the Medical College of Georgie to consult with surgeons to repair multiple facial fractures.

This morning, investigators arrested the two juvenile suspects at Butler High School, where they are students. The victim is also a student of Butler High School.

The juveniles claim to be members of the “Apple Valley Posse,” and the assault was gang-related, though the victim is not a gang member or affiliate, Lt. Peebles said. The group was walking through the Circular Drive area looking for a lone victim to attack, or in their words "locking down the block," according to Lt. Peebles.

"Blockett and Musick were completely unrepentant, and expressed their amusement with the incident," Lt. Peebles said.

Both teens were committed to RYDC. The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are imminent.

Anyone with information concerning the remaining attackers is asked to contact the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at 706-821-1080.

Elderly Woman Spends Night in Jail for Bad Check

An elderly North Augusta woman spent last night in jail because she couldn't make $511 bond for a bad check.

Mary Brown, 78, was arrested at 11 a.m. yesterday by a sheriff's deputy and charged with one count of fraudulent check. Unable to make bond, she was forced to stay in jail overnight.

Ms. Brown is accused of passing a bad check written for under $500. She remains in jail this morning.

According to jail records, she's the oldest person being held at the detention center. The only other person over 70 is a 73-year-old man being held on arson and assault charges.

RCSO: Sex Offender Didn't Register Properly

A man's been arrested in Richmond County for failing to register as a sex offender.

Kenneth Charles Huish, 21, was busted today on the felony charge. Mr. Huish was convicted four years ago of child molestation in Richmond County.

According to state records, he last registered in January, when he told authorities he was living off Old McDuffie Road in Augusta.

What Does The Number Mean?

Kelvin Carter, 33, of Aiken, was busted earlier today for possession of crack cocaine and possession of controlled substances schedule I. He is being held in the Aiken County Jail.

But we can't help but wonder what the number means on his neck.

Any guesses?

Could it be his old prison number? He is a repeat offender with previous arrests in Aiken County for distribution of crack cocaine, criminal domestic violence of a high & aggravated nature, possession of controlled substances schedule III, probation violation, driving under influence, driving under suspension, failure to pay child support and receiving stolen goods.