2 men arrested after bar reports fake bills

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Two men police caught with more than $660 in fake bills were arrested Wednesday night.

Steven Lampkin, 26, of Augusta Avenue, and Jamaal Thompkins, 25, of Horton Drive, each face multiple counts of first-degree forgery, said Richmond County sheriff's Sgt. Blaise Dresser.

The owner of Coyotes nightclub on Peach Orchard Road told the on-duty deputy one of the men repeatedly used fake $20 bills to buy alcohol, according to a Richmond County Sheriff's report.

"The bartender said, 'That's kind of strange because I keep giving him change and he keeps giving me twenties,' " Sheriff's Lt. Calvin Chew said.

After passing about $300 in fake currency, deputies found the men in possession of much more, the report said. An agent from the U.S. Secret Service is also interviewing the men.

Three arrested on drug charges in Warrenville

Three people were arrested on drug charges Thursday at a Warrenville home.

According to Sgt. Dave Myers of the Aiken County Sheriff's Office, Jerry Lee Pitts, 18, of 55 Harrison Road, Warrenville, was charged with one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and eight counts of possession of a controlled substance. Tammy Powell-Bishop, 37, of the same address, was charged with two counts of simple possession of marijuana and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. Julia Johnson, 22, of 2273 Augusta Road, Gloverville, was charged with one count of simple possession of marijuana and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

The arrests were made at 55 Harrison Road after narcotics investigators received an anonymous drug complaint. While searching the residence, the investigators found quantities of marijuana and methamphetamine, along with prescription drugs, police reported.

Nelson is 1st black to serve as police chief

THOMSON --- Joseph D. Nelson was hired Thursday night by the Thomson City Council as the city's police chief. He is the first black to serve in the position.

Nelson has served as a road patrol officer and investigator with the Washington Police Department for 18 years.

He replaces John Hathaway, who served as police chief in Thomson for nearly 25 years. Hathaway retired from the department with more than 35 years of service to the city Tuesday.

"I'm very proud to have been chosen the new police chief in Thomson," Nelson said in a telephone interview with The McDuffie Mirror after the council meeting. "I'm looking forward to working there and helping to make Thomson as safe a place as I can make it."

Man is charged with shoplifting at Walmart

A man was arrested after he reportedly shoplifted from Walmart in North Augusta and was chased by police into a nearby Chick-Fil-A restaurant.

A North Augusta Department of Public Safety incident report states that Quantavous Terrence Hawthorn, 21, of Augusta, was charged with shoplifting under $1,000, malicious injury to real property and resisting arrest.

Officers responded to the Walmart at 1201 Knox Ave. about 12:50 p.m.

The man reportedly ran through the parking lot and into the restaurant, where police said he began to grab and sling benches to slow down officers. Damage was estimated at $500, according to the report .

The report said $120 in items, including five bras, two T-shirts, a hat and a video game, were taken.

'Kidsignment' sale benefits Aiken church

Aiken's First Baptist Church's Pass It On Kidsignment sale runs from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday in the church's gym, 120 Chesterfield St. N.

On Saturday, everything is half-price.

Call (803) 215-1503 or go to www.passitonaiken.com.

-- From staff reports