Across the area

Chase suspects to be extradited

Extradition has been approved for three Savannah residents who led Richmond County sheriff's deputies on a chase into South Carolina, officials said Thursday.

Rashawn Tyrone Graham, 25; Aneeshia Gibbs, 19; and Lashawn Gibbs, 23, were apprehended Wednesday near Mile Marker 5 on Interstate 20 at about 2:30 p.m. after leading deputies on a chase from Augusta Mall, said Richmond County sheriff's Maj. Richard Weaver.

Deputies followed them after the three were accused of shoplifting at Macy's. A special-duty deputy pursued them out of the parking lot onto Bobby Jones Expressway, onto I-20 and onto Washington Road, where they hit at least two cars before getting back on the interstate, the major said.

The chase came to a stop as the stolen 2006 Toyota Corolla Mr. Graham was driving went across the median, struck a cable barrier and went into the westbound lanes before crossing the barrier again, the major said. The three got out and tried to run before officers captured them.

The three face numerous charges in Georgia and South Carolina, including felony shoplifting. Lt. C.A. Tony Walden said more than $2,000 worth of clothing was taken from the store, and said theft by receiving a stolen motor vehicle charges will be filed after they are extradited to Georgia.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol said drug charges for cocaine and marijuana were pending, and the agency said Mr. Graham was charged with reckless driving.

Woman's condition is critical after accident

A Hephzibah woman remained at an Augusta hospital late Thursday after her vehicle overturned during an accident that happened earlier in the day, officials said.

Rose Tebow was listed in critical condition at Medical College of Georgia Hospital, said Danielle Wong Moores, a hospital spokeswoman.

Richmond County sheriff's Sgt. Mike D'Amico said the wreck happened before noon as Ms. Tebow, driving a Toyota Camry, traveled southbound on Kissingbower Road toward Regency Mall.

At the intersection with Gordon Highway, the car struck an Acura TL driven by Katherine Carroll, of Augusta, the sergeant said. The Toyota flipped over.

Sgt. D'Amico said Ms. Tebow faced a citation of disregarding a traffic control device.

Woman says she was assaulted in robbery

Richmond County sheriff's deputies are investigating a robbery at an American Legion post where a woman said she was assaulted early Thursday morning, a police report states.

According to the report, the robbery happened before 1:30 a.m. at American Legion Post 178 in the 3200 block of Richmond Hill Road.

The report states that the 40-year-old woman had closed the business and was counting money when she heard a knock on the door.

The woman said she opened the door, was struck in the face by a man, and fell to the ground. The man and another man came in and took money from the office before leaving.

Police seek man who cashed check stub

Richmond County sheriff's deputies are looking for a man who cashed a check stub at an Augusta business, officials said Thursday.

Investigator Michelle Walden said Charles Hudson, 45, of the 2400 block of Norton Drive, is wanted for felony theft by deception.

She said Mr. Hudson is accused of presenting the stub at the Richmond Hill Road Market, obtaining more than $200. The stub had no routing or account numbers on it.

Anyone with information about Mr. Hudson's whereabouts is asked to call the Richmond County Sheriff's Office at (706) 821-1080 or (706) 821-1020.

Marijuana is found in student's wallet

A 16-year-old Lakeside High School student was arrested Thursday morning at the school on a charge of possession of marijuana.

The student, whose name wasn't released because of his age, was arrested at 7:55 a.m. after a school public safety officer noticed the teen acting suspiciously in the parking lot and a search led to the finding of approximately 2 grams of marijuana in the student's wallet, said Columbia County sheriff's Capt. Steve Morris.

The student was transported to the Regional Youth Detention Center, where he will be detained overnight pending a detention hearing, Capt. Morris said.

Boy, 12, is detained in animal cruelty case

A 12-year-old boy accused of animal cruelty will be sent to a juvenile detention center while he awaits trial, an Aiken County family court judge ruled Thursday.

Authorities say the boy killed a kitten, abused two others and then cracked open the eggs of four unhatched birds.

Family Court Solicitor Serena McDaniel said the boy requested a trial during an appearance in front of Judge Dale Gable, after which authorities asked for a detention hearing.

He was arrested by officers with the Aiken Department of Public Safety on April 27 but released to his mother. Police wanted to detain him, Ms. McDaniel said, but needed a court order.

Judge Gable considered testimony from officers, the nature of the offense he's accused of, his age and his school history before ordering him detained in the Department of Juvenile Justice's detention center in Columbia.

His school history shows aggressive behavior toward other students, Ms. McDaniel said, and he's currently suspended.

Atlanta man extradited in robbery, assault

A 39-year-old Atlanta man was extradited Wednesday to Aiken County on charges that he stabbed a man 20 times three years ago, slit his throat and stole $1,200.

James Earl McCutchen, who had an address in the 8100 block of Colquit Road, was transferred from the Georgia Department of Corrections to the Aiken County Detention Center, according to sheriff's spokesman Lt. Michael Frank.

Mr. McCutchen is charged with armed robbery, assault and battery with intent to kill and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

According to arrest warrants from the sheriff's office, Mr. McCutchen stabbed Nick Peterson approximately 20 times March 4, 2003, slitting his throat and taking $1,200 in cash from the man.

The confrontation happened on the 1900 block of Edgefield Road.

Lt. Frank said Mr. McCutchen was incarcerated in Georgia, but he did not know for what crime.

Water needs boiling in McCormick County

About 3,600 McCormick County water customers are under a boil water warning after a water main burst between Abbeville County and Calhoun Falls either Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.

Harold Brewer, water and sewer manager for McCormick County, said workers are conducting tests to determine whether there's been any contamination.

The state Department of Health and Environment Control recommended that for 48 hours customers should boil their water, but Mr. Brewer said that if no contamination is found the warning will be lifted earlier.

Residents should boil their drinking and cooking water for at least three minutes, Mr. Brewer said.

Augusta man is jailed in girlfriend's assault

An Augusta man remained in jail Thursday after being accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend two months ago.

Christopher Lavert Loggins, 22, of the 2400 block of Lumpkin Road, is accused of punching Felicia Harris in the face while she was sitting in her car, a Richmond County sheriff's report states.

The report states that during the March 6 assault, Mr. Loggins told the 23-year-old woman to "drop the charges" because she had applied for two warrants against him a few weeks earlier.

Police said they observed scratches on her nose and blood on her cheeks and nostrils, but Ms. Harris refused medical attention.

Mr. Loggins remained in jail without bond and is charged with cruelty to children-third degree, criminal trespass, probation violation, harassing phone calls and cruelty to children in the third degree, a jail official said Thursday.

Richmond County sheriff's Sgt. Richard Roundtree said Ms. Harris' children were in the vicinity of the attack while Mr. Loggins assaulted their mother, prompting the cruelty to children charges.

- From staff reports