Crime Report: Tools Taken, Mattress Burned and Bunnies on the Lam

Tools Taken, Mattress Burned, and Bunnies on the Lam: An Oconee man reported that sometime between around 11:45 a.m. on Feb. 26 and 6:15 p.m. on Feb. 28, a chain saw, weed eater, nail gun and Craftsman tool box with numerous tools inside were taken from his 3700-block Flat Rock Road property.  The tools were valued at $2,000.

At first the victim said he believed a mattress and box spring set had also been taken, but they were later located charred in a burn pit in the back yard.

Additionally, an enclosure used to house rabbits had been turned over and six rabbits, worth $120, had escaped.

Driver and Pedestrian Argue: While walking his dog on the shoulder near 1200 Lavista Road about 8 p.m. on Feb. 28, a man said a pickup truck swerved toward him and he had to jump into a ditch to avoid being struck.  The man told deputies he yelled at the driver and that the driver stopped, got out of the truck, pushed him to the ground and fled the scene.

When questioned by deputies at his residence, the other man said he had been driving and had to go into the other lane to avoid a parked car in the roadway.  As he passed the car, he said he saw the pedestrian walking his dog in the middle of the other lane and swerved to miss them.  The pedestrian yelled something at him, so the driver stopped.  The pedestrian approached him, cursing, and the driver said he thought the man might try to harm him so he pushed him across the chest and the man fell onto the grass. 

The deputy stated in the report he did pass a small car in the roadway while on the way to speak with the driver and that he had to go into the other lane to get around it.

Both men stated they wanted to take out warrants on one another and were advised of the process.

DUI Arrest: A resident of the 2300 block of Dials Mill Road reported a suspicious vehicle was parked in his front yard around 1 a.m. on Feb. 29. Deputies found a maid laid back in the driver's seat apparently sleeping. When questioned, the man was speaking "gibberish" and stated he was waiting on God and just wanted to go to sleep.  The deputy asked if the man had diabetes and upon learning that he did, called for medical attention.   At that time, the deputy said he did not detect any smell of alcohol, but when later tested with a portable intoxilizer the man tested positive for alcohol and had blood-shot eyes.

A small plastic bag containing a green leafy substance was also found on the floorboard between the man's feet.  The man told the deputy it was not his and that it belonged to a friend who had fled the scene with his keys.  But the deputy noted the keys were in the man's coat pocket.

The 59-year-old Madison man was charged with DUI and misdemeanor possession of marijuana. Neither the property nor the car was damaged.

Car Damaged: A Bogart woman was charged with criminal trespass after allegedly striking her friend's car with an egg crate.  The victim said she was leaving her friend's Shady Acres home on North Burson Avenue about 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 28 when she accidentally dropped her bag, scaring a dog. 

The suspect apparently thought the victim had tried to hit the dog and became angry and vandalized the victim's car.  The suspect admitted hitting the vehicle with an egg crate but told deputies she had just misunderstood the situation.

Fraudulent Check: A real estate agent reported she had been helping a client claiming to be a doctor from England purchase a home since the beginning of January. Arrangements were made via phone calls and emails and a property was selected.

The agent said the client asked for an attorney to assist in the matter and an Athens attorney was selected.  The property was appraised, inspected, and repairs were scheduled.  A check in the amount of $256,900 arrived from a bank in North Carolina but when the lawyer inquired, the bank said the signature was fraudulent.  A financial statement from a Canadian bank arrived allegedly confirming the doctor has over 6.8 million in an account there. 

The real estate agent said she contacted the real doctor about the situation.

Computer Stolen: On Feb. 28, a computer was reported stolen from   The computer had been loaned out to a student and was to be returned at the end of last semester. The complainant said she did not think the student took it, but rather that it was taken from the student while in his possession.

Copper Wire Swiped: The owner of a property in the 1900 block of Old Bishop Road reported copper electrical wiring had been pulled down from a light pole on his property.  He estimates it will cost $80 to replace the wire.  The victim also stated someone took the torch head, hose and regulator-- valued collectively at $350-- from his welding torch tank.

Tricycle Taken: A resident in the 2300 block of Salem Road reported her son's $50 tricycle was taken from the yard sometime during the day on Feb. 27.

Identity Theft: On Feb. 27, an Oconee County woman reported she tried to file income taxes for this year but she was notified by the IRS that she had already filed.  Someone unknown to her had used her information to make a false filing.

Shoplifting: loss prevention officers reported seeing a man take a pack of men's razors and a bottle of vitamins out of the store without paying for them on Feb. 27.  The employee told deputies the suspect was issued a criminal trespass warning in April 2011 at another Wal-Mart store.  The suspect left before he could be detained.

Attempted Burglary: A resident of Daandra Drive on Feb. 27 reported someone had tried to break into a garage.  The garage door was found open and it had apparently been kicked in.  There were marks on the door that appeared to be from some type of tool, the dead bolt was unlocked, and the hasp for the doorknob was broken off the frame.  There was a metal cabinet on the inside of the garage against the door so no entry could be made.  The door was only opened about four inches and nothing was taken.

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