logo
Oconee Blotter: Little mistakes lead numerous drivers to jail cells

Oconee Blotter: Little mistakes lead numerous drivers to jail cells

Yahoo05-03-2025

The Oconee County Sheriff's Office reported the following incidents:
CHARGER STOPPED: On Feb. 20, Sgt. Lex Ogan was patrolling on Pete Dickens Road when he ran the tag on a 2007 Dodge Charger, which showed it had suspended registration and insurance. Upon stopping the car, the driver, a 36-year-old Decatur man, explained the car belonged to his girlfriend and he was unaware of its status. The deputy smelled marijuana and the man gave him an Arkansas Medical Marijuana card. The man's license, however, was suspended in Georgia and Arkansas, so he was arrested. After his arrest, some bags of marijuana were found in a backpack in the car.
SHOPLIFTER CAUGHT: On Feb. 22, Deputy Steven Heckler was dispatched to Walmart, where a 22-year-old Grovetown woman was seen by a loss prevention officer concealing items in her purse while she was in the pet department and again in the snack aisle. She paid for some Kool Aid, but not the other items that included shampoo, deodorant and Tylenol.
CHILD SUPPORT: On Feb. 23, Deputy Steven Heckler was dispatched to the parking lot of a shopping center at the Oconee Connector, where a man called about seeing a pink Dodge Charger that did not have a license plate. The deputy stopped the car and the driver, a 23-year-old Commerce man, was arrested for driving with a suspended license due to a child support problem. The car was released to the 22-year-old passenger after the deputy determined the car had a valid registration.
STEAK THEFT: On Feb. 23, Deputy M. Watson was dispatched to Walmart after a 55-year-old Watkinsville man was seen skip scanning merchandise and trying to leave the store before he was confronted. The man attempted to steal more than $90 worth of steaks, along with charcoal and Gatorade.
Fire Dangers: Fire danger continues in Georgia as firefighters respond to forest fires
WOMAN ARRESTED: On Feb. 24, Sgt. Lex Ogan was patrolling on Epps Bridge Parkway about 3:20 p.m. when he observed the driver of a Lincoln Town Car manipulating something in her lap. It appeared she was texting. He ran the license plate and the driver had a suspended license. A traffic stop was made and the woman was arrested on the driving violation.
NFL CARDS: On Feb. 25, Sgt. Lex Ogan was notified by loss prevention at Walmart that a repeat shoplifter had just left the store. Once again, the man had shoplifted NFL trading cards. He drove away in a Honda Civic, so Ogan checked the FLOCK system that reads car tags on the roadways and located the car and license number. He called the 32-year-old Athens man, who admitted he made a 'dumb decision.' Walmart showed the officer videos of the man shoplifting NFL cards twice on Feb. 22. He would take two packs, put them together and scan only one pack. The man then returned on Feb. 24 and stole more trading cards. The cards were valued at more than $200. Walmart wanted to prosecute, so Ogan called the man again and told him to report to the county jail where he would be served with warrants. The man did as told.
CELL PHONE: On Feb. 26, Deputy William Lewis was patrolling on Mars Hill Road when he observed a woman using a white cell phone. After a traffic stop, the Athens woman was arrested on a warrant from Clarke County. She was also given a citation for the cell phone violation.
TRIO OF SUSPECTS: On Feb. 22, Cpl. Jonathan Strum and four other deputies responded to a shoplifting at Walmart, where three men were being detained. The Morgan County men were observed stuffing merchandise into backpacks and tag swapping on other items. The men were working together in the crime as they tried to steal 73 items valued at more than $800. The suspects, ages 43, 33, and 27, all had Madison addresses. They were put in jail.
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Oconee Blotter: Motorist with pot has Arkansas Medical Marijuana card

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

ICE Agents' Mask Culture Shift Risks Street Violence: Obama ICE Chief
ICE Agents' Mask Culture Shift Risks Street Violence: Obama ICE Chief

Newsweek

timean hour ago

  • Newsweek

ICE Agents' Mask Culture Shift Risks Street Violence: Obama ICE Chief

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is warning that a growing trend of federal officers wearing masks during arrests is potentially dangerous to bystanders, communities, and even the agents themselves. John Sandweg, who served as acting director of ICE under former President Barack Obama, from August 2013 to February 2014, told Newsweek on Friday that what was once a rare precaution has become a widespread practice that carries serious risks. Sandweg expressed concerns over the shift in tactics that has become increasingly common in immigration enforcement operations. He argued that masks create confusion and fear, especially in public settings. "If you're getting arrested by an officer or agent in a mask, especially if at that point they've not yet identified themselves as a federal officer, it creates a risk of bystanders thinking, rushing in to help, which could create the risk of violence or harm caused to the bystanders," Sandweg explained. John Sandweg, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, speaks during a news conference on counterfeit merchandise at the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII media center, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in New York. John Sandweg, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, speaks during a news conference on counterfeit merchandise at the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII media center, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in New York. AP "People are trying to be good Samaritans because they think it's a kidnapping or something of that nature. You could have local police who have not been right into the operation thinking something is happening, like an abduction is happening. The Trump administration has defended the use of masks, citing a sharp rise in threats and violence against ICE agents. According to the Department of Homeland Security, assaults on immigration officers have surged by 413 percent, prompting officials to argue that masks are a necessary measure to protect agents' identities, as well as their families. The remarks come amid heightened tensions in Los Angeles, a sanctuary city, between federal immigration authorities and local officials over how immigration laws are enforced, the safety of communities, and the role of sanctuary policies. As ICE officers carried out an increasing number of arrests under federal orders, they are facing increasing resistance from protesters and immigrant rights supporters, fueling tense standoffs and public backlash. A demonstrator holds placards as protesters clash with law enforcement in the streets surrounding the federal building during a protest following federal immigration operations in Los Angeles, California, on June 8, 2025. A demonstrator holds placards as protesters clash with law enforcement in the streets surrounding the federal building during a protest following federal immigration operations in Los Angeles, California, on June 8, 2025. RINGO CHIU/AFP via Getty Images Sandweg, speaking before mass protests erupted in Los Angeles over alleged aggressive immigration enforcement, said the use of masks should be an exception, not the rule. "There are times where I think for officer safety reasons, I understand why they would wear masks," Sandweg said. "There are going to be cases where there is a potential risk to the safety of the officers themselves, or their families, where they could be identified and then that could lead to them being targeted." However, Sandweg cautioned that the frequent use of masks has gone beyond exceptional circumstances, saying it wasn't a regular trend under his tenure. "I think everyone knows the reasons for the masks. Every agent knows they would be doxxed [publicly identified] as would their families," Scott Mechkowski, a retired ICE agent who worked for the agency from the mid-1990s until 2019, told Newsweek. Sandweg emphasized that masks might be appropriate in high-risk operations targeting gang members or dangerous criminals—but not for routine arrests involving nonviolent immigrants or student visa holders, which has become common practice under the Trump administration. "You want them to be in a position where they're clearly identified as ICE officers. And I just think a mask creates all sorts of risks operationally." He painted a stark picture of how the shift might feel for ordinary people and student visa holders caught in the crossfire of President Donald Trump's clampdown on immigrants. "If you're somebody walking down the street, you know, a student who's got a valid visa and you don't know that ICE is planning to arrest you, and all of a sudden a bunch of masked men quickly approach you. I mean, you have to be scared to death." What was once an isolated tactic now seems to be standard practice, Sandweg said, calling it "a troubling development." "I think the most important thing is officer safety. Of course. Wearing the masks themselves creates safety issues, which is why I think they have to be really the exception and not the rule. The growing use of masks by ICE agents raises questions about transparency, community trust, and public safety. While protecting officers is essential, experts warn that overuse of such tactics may lead to more harm than good. As immigration enforcement continues to ramp up, balancing security with accountability remains a pressing challenge.

Do you recognize her? Police looking for woman accused of stealing from Walmart
Do you recognize her? Police looking for woman accused of stealing from Walmart

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Do you recognize her? Police looking for woman accused of stealing from Walmart

Do you recognize her? [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Beavercreek Police Department is looking for a woman accused of stealing from the Walmart at 3360 Pentagon Blvd, according to a social media post. TRENDING STORIES: Multiple hurt, some seriously, after back-to-back crashes on I-70 'One more is too many;' Family remembers woman killed in motorcycle crash Local high school secures 1st state softball title, finishes with perfect record The woman reportedly selected merchandise, passed all points of sale without paying, and left the store, according to the post. She then got into a van and left the property. If you can identify her, contact Officer Stephens at 937-426-1225 ext. 688 or by emailing stephensj@ [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

A New Jersey woman thought she was calling customer service. It was a scammer.
A New Jersey woman thought she was calling customer service. It was a scammer.

CBS News

time6 hours ago

  • CBS News

A New Jersey woman thought she was calling customer service. It was a scammer.

When Helenann Knopp realized the dishwasher she'd bought online and had delivered didn't include installation, she went searching online for a customer service number. Instead, the New Jersey woman found a scam. While bad customer service is one thing, bogus customer service is becoming an increasingly common way for scammers to cash in on unsuspecting consumers. In Knopp's case, she ordered her dishwasher through Walmart and says that's who she thought she was calling after finding the number on Google. The person on the other end, she said, asked her to verify her name and some of her banking information and told her the installation would be handled. "I didn't think anything of it," said Knopp, who lives in Woodbury Heights. Until the next day, when she realized more than $3,500 had been withdrawn from her checking account. She said she called the number again and she was assured it was an error. But to get her refund, she was told she'd need to pay more money. That's when Knopp recalls realizing something wasn't right. "I said no," she said. "They then asked if they could have access to my Social Security, and I said no." The number is now disconnected. A Walmart spokesperson told CBS News Philadelphia the company is investigating Knopp's case. Know the warning signs Customer service scams are now the most commonly reported type of scam in the U.S., according to the Federal Trade Commission. Amy Nofziger with AARP's Fraud Watch Network says there are several common tactics scammers use to reach potential victims. "You'll get a text message saying that there's a problem with your account and you need to phone in; additionally we're seeing these come in same way over email," Nofziger said. "Or they're getting a social media posting by a criminal that says, 'Hey, I have a great phone number for x, y, z company. Use this number, it gets you a human every time.'" Nofziger says they've also seen scammers create message board discussions with bogus links or recommendations for fake numbers. The issue appears to be getting worse. In February, Amazon reported a 33% increase in customer service impersonation scams on social media since December. Protecting yourself AARP advises against posting your consumer complaints on social media because it could make you an easy target. If you're looking for a company's phone number, go directly to its website. Unsolicited texts, calls or emails should be treated with caution, warns Nofziger. Often, a customer support scammer will try to trick you into thinking suspicious activity has been detected on your accounts or credit cards, she said. But most important, Nofziger advises, is to slow down. "Usually when you're reaching out to customer service, you might be in a stressful situation," she said. "Take a pause, and then do your research." Customers dealing with travel issues can also be vulnerable. The Better Business Bureau says some scammers will even monitor real-time delays and cancellations and set up fake websites or post phony numbers on message boards. The FTC recommends travelers always contact customer service through the airline's app or by logging into your account online. READ MORE: From fake listings to phony passport renewal sites, watch out for these summer travel scams It's a hard lesson learned for Knopp. "There's people out there who are going to think I'm dumb, I'm stupid," she said. "But you know what, until you walk in somebody's shoes, you can't make judgment." Do you have a money question, a consumer issue, or a scam story you want to share? Email InYourCorner@

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store