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Crime & Safety

Illegal Substances May Have Contributed to Alpharetta Crash

The following arrest information was supplied by the Alpharetta Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction.

At approximately 1:25 p.m. on July 15 an Alpharetta police officer responded to a traffic crash on GA 400 near Webb Bridge Road involving two vehicles, one of which had rolled and ejected the driver. The rolled vehicle was extensively damage and three occupants–including a 6-year-old child–were being treated my EMS nearby.

During the investigation, an officer noticed a strong smell of alcohol in the area and saw many beer cans and beer bottles within the debris on the ground. A witness to the crash had stated that they had observed the female adult passenger remove a plastic bag from the vehicle and hide it in the engine compartment. A dog alerted to the odor of illegal drugs and a check of the area revealed marijuana near the engine.

The suspect admitted to hiding the illegal substance and that it belonged to the driver also. The driver was taken to North Fulton Regional Hospital for treatment and a second passenger soon followed. The third passenger was a 6-year-old child who was not in a proper child restraint. The child was taken to Scottish Rite Children's Hospital for treatment.

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When questioned, both adult passengers had trouble answering questions and an investigation is pending.

Officer Responds to Theft at Hotel

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An Alpharetta police officer responded to a theft call at the hotel Wingate by Wyndam, where an employee stated that on July 1 at approximately 1 p.m. someone reserved a room with cash. On July 3 the house cleaning staff reported that the room was empty and the television was removed. The officer noticed the room filled with trash and the TV was forcibly removed from the entertainment furniture. The officer was not able to find the suspect at the time the report was filed.

Excessive Speeding Results in DUI Arrest

An Alpharetta police officer recorded a vehicle going 95 mph on GA 400 northbound at Center Bridge at 1:09 a.m. on July 24. After pulling the driver over and issuing a ticket for speeding, the officer smelled alcohol and proceeded to administer a field sobriety test. The suspect was unable to keep their balance during instructions and had to stop to steady their self several times. The suspect also tested positive for alcohol after giving a breath analysis.

The officer placed the suspect under arrest and had the vehicle towed. The suspect was taken to the Fulton County Jail and a passenger was given a courtesy ride to the visitor side of the jail upon request. The suspect was charged with speeding, DUI alcohol per se and DUI less safe.

A Check Reveals Suspended Tag

On July 24 at 11:31 p.m. an Alpharetta police officer ran the tag of a car stopped at a red light and saw that it was suspended. The officer tried to make a traffic stop, but the driver sped away as if nothing was happening, went past the La Quinta Inn in on North Point Parkway and made a U-turn. The officer hit the patrol car's siren and the driver turned into the parking lot of the La Quinta Inn, but proceeded to the back lot. The officer again turned on the patrol car's siren, and the suspect finally stopped.

The driver would not roll down the car's window, so police told him to open the door. The officer could immediately smell marijuana and called for backup. Once backup was on the scene, the driver was asked to get out of the car and was placed under arrest.

A K-9 officer was brought to the scene and alerted on the vehicle. A search revealed two bags of un-burnt marijuana. The driver's license was also suspended on a controlled substance charge. The driver was arrested on possession of marijuana and driving with a suspended license charges.

Convicted Felon had Rifle in Trunk

At 10:03 p.m. on July 25, an officer noticed a vehicle make an illegal u-turn at the intersection of Windward Parkway and GA 9 where a no u-turn sign is clearly visible. The driver could only provide the Alpharetta police officer with an identification card. No license was on file for the individual upon running a background check.

The driver was placed under arrest for driving without a license. A rifle was found in the trunk. The driver claimed to know nothing about the rifle and that the car was borrowed from a friend.

A more thorough check of the individual revealed several felony convictions and was charged with making an illegal U-turn and driving without a license. The officer did not charge the suspect with firearm possession until a more thorough investigation could be performed.

The officer tracked down the owner of the car, who had just gotten it out of impound. The owner seemed unaware of the rifle. The suspect's cell phone was left in the car and the car's owner showed the police officer a picture of the suspect holding the rifle. The phone was placed into evidence along with the rifle. Based on the photo the suspect was also charged with possession of a firearm.

Officer Notices Car Stuck in Bushes

An officer was traveling south on GA9 July 26 and noticed a vehicle in the parking lot of Durty Kelly's Pub that was stuck in the bushes and backed up against a light pole. The Alpharetta police officer stopped to investigate. The officer had to assist the driver in getting out of the car. There was also a very strong alcoholic odor coming from the driver, who police said admitted to having drunk alcohol.

The driver failed a field sobriety test and was unresponsive to directions. The driver was charged with DUI and placed under arrest. The car was impounded and removed from the scene.

Officer Becomes Involved In Foot Chase

While patrolling the parking lot of Steak N Shake in Alpharetta on July 30 at 11:16 p.m. an officer spotted a vehicle driving through the parking lot of Spice restaurant on Haynes Bridge Road. The vehicle had no headlights on and the restaurant was closed.

Upon closer inspection, the Alpharetta police officer noticed two people standing on the porch of the restaurant and one was shining a flashlight into the glass door of the restaurant. When the two noticed the police car, they tried to hide. And when the officer got out of his vehicle, the suspects both started running. The officer identified themself and told the suspects to stop. Both ran around the rear of the building. After yelling again, one suspect halted and was taken into custody while the other continued to run.

Backup arrived and located the second suspect hiding in bushes near Ruby Tuesday restaurant. The suspects claimed to have borrowed the vehicle they had been driving, but upon contacting owner it became apparent that the car was taken without the owner's consent. Both suspects had also consumed alcohol before the event took place.

One suspect was transported to the city jail and charged with loitering and prowling, obstruction and minor possession of alcohol by consumption. The second suspect was a minor and released into the custody of a parent after being charged with the same citations.

For questions about this blotter, email Bob Pepalis.

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