Crime Report: Five Arrested for Underage Possession of Alcohol After Traffic Stop

Five Arrested For Underage Possession of Alcohol: On Feb. 25, a deputy was sitting in a patrol car on Epps Bridge Parkway across from Waffle House when he observed a white, 2007 Dodge Charger traveling at a high rate of speed. The deputy initiated a traffic stop and the driver pulled over west of SR Loop 10 on Ga. Highway 316.

After taking a sobriety test, the driver was charged with DUI, underage possession of alcohol, and speeding.  Four passengers, all under the age of 21, were charged with underage possession of alcohol.  All five were booked into the Oconee County Jail on the misdemeanor charges and the vehicle was towed.

Possible Abuse: Deputies went to a Tappan Spur Road address on Feb. 25 to speak with a mother about her 14-year-old son she said had run away.  The woman told deputies her son had become rebellious and refused to listen to her or his stepfather.  She said she and her son got into a verbal argument on Feb. 24 around 9 p.m., and on Feb. 25 at 9 a.m. he was missing from the home.

Deputies found the juvenile son at a friend's home later that morning.  According to the deputy's report, the teen "made accusations of abuse and did have marks on his person that would be consistent with his statements."

The Department of Family and Children's Services was contacted and met with the teen at the Sheriff's Office.  Afterward, he was released to a relative.  The investigation continues.

Small Knife Reportedly Accidentally Brought to Elementary School: On Feb. 24, a deputy met with the principal of  to discuss an incident in which a juvenile student had apparently accidentally brought a knife to school on Feb. 21.

According to the report, the principal said the student told him she had been working on a project with her parents the day before and had used the small pocketknife at that time. The student turned the knife over to a teacher during an after school program once she realized it was still in her jacket pocket, the principal told the deputy. The principal also said he verified the story by talking with the girl's parents.

School board policy allowed for the situation to be handled by the administration at the school level after having first reported it to the central office, Superintendent John Jackson said. Any time anything that can be considered a weapon is found to be on school grounds, law enforcement must be notified, he said.

Forgery: An Oconee County man reported someone known to him forged his name on five personal checks and cashed them at a branch of Oconee State Bank between Feb. 9 and Feb 21.  The victim told deputies he had completed a forgery affidavit for each check and provided copies for investigators.

Shoplifting: A 33-year-old Athens woman was charged with misdemeanor theft by shoplifting after loss prevention officers at said she had tried to leave without paying for items on Feb. 23.

Criminal Trespass: On Feb. 23, a resident of Haridgree Bell Road said someone known to her boyfriend came onto the property without permission.  When she told the man to leave, she says he began to yell and tried to hit her.  She says she dodged his punch but fell and slightly injured her right shin, according to a report. The man then fled the scene. 

The victim said she has had problems with the man before and requested he be served with a prohibited entry.  The victim also planned to seek a temporary protective order and a warrant hearing for the assault. The deputy was unable to locate the suspect at the time of the incident.

Trumpet Damaged: Two Malcom Bridge Middle School students attending an after school music program at in mid-February had an argument that led to one of the student's instruments being damaged.  One of the students reportedly called the other by a nickname, angering that student.  The one of the students allegedly pulled a chair out from underneath the other and a trumpet was damaged.  The deputy's report notes the parents and working with the school to resolve the issue and an investigation is pending.  The incident was reported on Feb. 23.

Shoplifting: Loss prevention officers at Wal-Mart reported having seen a suspicious man around 2:45 p.m. on Feb. 22.  After reviewing video surveillance, they concluded the man purchased two items valued at $57 and later returned and used the same receipt to take similar items out of the store without paying for them.  Investigators were working on the case.

Identity Theft: On Feb. 22, a Watkinsville woman reported someone had stolen money from her bank account from an address out of state.  She was instructed on how to file a claim with her bank.

Criminal Trespass: A Jefferson woman was arrested on a charged of criminal trespass after she refused to leave a residence in the Pinewood Estates South mobile home park on Feb. 22.  She was found to be in violation of a notice of prohibited entry that was put in place two days prior and was to be in effect for a two-year period.

Flipped Chevy Avalanche Around 3 a.m. on Feb. 22, Oconee County Fire and Rescue located a vehicle that had rolled over on Hog Mountain Road near Moore's Ford Road. The driver was located in the front yard of his residence in the 5700 block of Hog Mountain Road and, according to the deputy's report, admitted to having been drinking.  He was charged with DUI under 21 and failure to stop at a stop sign.

Old Kitchen Knife Found: A resident of Elder Heights Drive reported her daughter found an old kitchen knife near a recycling bin in front of the home on Feb. 19. On Feb. 21, the woman said it appeared someone tried to pry open a side door to the home but was unable to get inside.

Click here for Oconee Patch's crime reporting policies. For questions about this blotter, email stephanie.gross@patch.com