Alpharetta Police Arrest Sandy Springs Man on Drug Charge

A 65-year-old Sandy Springs man who said he was lost was found by Alpharetta police–and promptly jailed.

The driver was arrested on drug and traffic violation charges after Alpharetta police spotted a vehicle on Sept. 4 on Webb Bridge Road drifting across the double yellow line and braking for no apparent reason.

The man told the officer that he was lost, and handed over a map. The officer asked for his driver's license and said he would give him directions. The Oregon driver's license was checked, and he was found to have an active warrant, and that the license was suspended.

A bag on the floor of the car contained prescription medicine in its original container, and a clear plastic bag containing 28 round white pills that Poison Control advised were a controlled substance.

Frederick Franklin Strauss, 65, of Sandy Springs, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, drugs not in original container, driving while license suspended and failure to maintain lane.

Strauss remained in Fulton County Jail on a hallucinogen manufacturing charge. His bond was set at $12,100.

Dahlonega Man Stops After Short Police Chase on GA 400

Motorists on GA 400 driving south near Haynes Bridge Road on Sept. 4 at 4:23 p.m. probably found themselves in the middle of a police chase as an Alpharetta officer caught up with a car being driven 119 mph.

A 52-year-old Dahlonega man was arrested and charged with speeding and reckless driving.

Police say the small SUV was in the second lane from the left when it approached a group of slower moving vehicles. When the SUV got close to those other vehicles, its driver abruptly changed lanes.

The officer got the vehicle to stop just north of the Encore Parkway overpass.

Mall Store Accuses Canton Woman of Shoplifting Clothing

Macy's remains a popular department store for shoppers–and shoplifters, though they keep getting caught.

On Sept. 7 at 3:36 p.m., Alpharetta police were called to the store at North Point Mall after a report of a female shoplifter being caught by a store security officer. The employee watched the suspect for more than two hours walking through the store, stopping to take 14 pieces of clothing, including dresses, pants and jerseys worth more than $1,100.

Lorraine Denise Kasper, 52, of Canton, was charged with theft by shoplifting over $300, a felony. She was released on Sept. 9 on $2,000 bond.

For questions about this blotter, email Bob Pepalis.