Theft and Forgery Among Watkinsville's Crimes

On Thursday at 12:48 p.m., police were called to Watkinsville Metal Recycling, 1401 Greensboro Highway, after the owner realized that someone had taken some money from the office cash register. A check of the building’s video system showed two men walking into the front office. After looking around, one stood guard at the door while the other man opened the register and took all of the currency.  Both men then left the business. The store employee was busy in the shop area at the time and did not see them.  $162 was stolen. The men are described as black. One was average build, short hair, with a very dark complexion. The second man was very heavy set, possibly in his 40’s. 

Alert employees at Chicken Express notified police at 4 p.m. on Thursday that three people had just attempted to pass bogus twenty dollar bills at the restaurant, 50 North Main Street. The trio drove away in a 1994 Pontiac Grand Am.  The car was spotted and stopped by police on Experiment Station Road about a half mile away.  Some items of evidence were observed inside the car.  The three were arrested and charged with FORGERY for passing the counterfeit currency.  Vanessa Jean Thurmond, 50, of 205 Ed Coile Road, Hull   …   Stacy Ann Ruggles, 38, of 515 Carruth Road, Jefferson, … and Tony Devon Bullins, 54, of 140 Carriage Lane, Athens, were charged. A computer check revealed that Bullins was also wanted on outstanding warrants in Madison County. All three were booked into the Oconee County Jail. 

       After learning that the three had been staying at the Luxury Inn, police obtained a search warrant for the room. Additional items were collected as evidence including more fake $20 bills, a computer, a printer, paper, and cutting tools. Watkinsville Police contacted the United States Secret Service, Atlanta Field Office, which will be assisting with the investigation.  

Thursday evening at 8:20. a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado made a left turn into the path of a northbound 1991 Toyota pick-up on Main Street at Chicken Express. No one was injured.  Both vehicles suffered minor damage.

At 7:20 Sunday evening, January 12th, police and medical units responded to a call concerning a injured bicyclist.  A 43-year-old Athens man rode his bike off the end of the sidewalk on North Main Street near Thrasher Drive.  No other people, or vehicles, were involved.  The man was injured and was taken to Athens Regional Medical Center by National EMS.  The mountain bike was not damaged.

During the week ending Sunday, January 12th, the Watkinsville Police Department responded to thirty-three (33) calls for service inside the City.