Woman sought in kidnapping
Richmond County sheriff's authorities are looking for a woman accused of kidnapping an Augusta woman Thursday afternoon.
Tonjala Freeney, 33, is wanted for kidnapping Tasha Jones at gunpoint, from the 200 block of Brandywine Place at about 3:30 p.m., said Richmond County sheriff's Investigator Tim Rzasa.
Police said Ms. Freeney forced Ms. Jones into a car and drove her to North Augusta where the victim was able to escape from the vehicle at a Circle K convenience store on U.S. Highway 1.
Ms. Freeney is described as 5-feet-11 inches tall and weighing 260 pounds. She may be driving a black, 2003 Mercury Sable or a green Ford Taurus and was armed with a silver handgun, police said.
Ms. Freeney faces the following outstanding warrants: kidnapping, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, simple assault and parole violation, Investigator Rzasa said.
Anyone with information concerning the whereabouts of Ms. Freeney which may lead to an arrest, should call the Richmond County Sheriff's Office at 706-821-1080 or call 911.
North Augustan kills himself
Columbia County authorities say a North Augusta man took his own life Thursday morning in the parking lot where he worked.
Deputy Coroner Vernon Collins said Shannon Brett Neal, 35, of Hammond Drive in North Augusta, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
A co-worker found Mr. Neal about 8:30 a.m. slumped next to his vehicle in the parking lot of Averitt Express, 560 CDP Industrial Blvd., off Wrightsboro Road near Grovetown, Mr. Collins said
Augusta couple jailed on meth lab charges
An Augusta couple remained behind bars Thursday while facing illegal drug charges in connection with a meth lab bust Wednesday night.
John Charles Hixon, 39, and Lisa Marie Smith, 36, both of the 3100 block of Mike Padgett Highway, were arrested about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. Both were charged with reckless conduct, cruelty to children and controlled substance violation, a jail official said.
A meth lab was discovered at the couple's residence about 8 p.m. Wednesday after authorities arrived to check on a 12-year-old child who reportedly had been left alone. The lab was in a rear bedroom, said Sgt. Allan Rollins of the narcotics division.
The Richmond County Haz-Mat team and an Atlanta-based waste management company helped remove hazardous chemicals and contaminated equipment from the house, Sgt. Rollins said.
Man in good condition after 2-vehicle wreck
An Augusta man was taken to Medical College of Georgia Hospital after a two-vehicle wreck Thursday morning at Belair Road and Interstate 20.
Uriel Alvarez, 40, of the 1700 block of Champion Avenue, was in good condition about 4 p.m., hospital spokeswoman Danielle Wong Moores said.
Mr. Alvarez was driving north in a Ford Explorer on Belair Road near the on-ramp for eastbound I-20 when an Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight driven by Mazie Dillard, 80, of Milledgeville, Ga., turned into his path from a southbound lane, Columbia County sheriff's Deputy A.J. Lyons said.
The collision caused the Explorer to overturn, the deputy said. Ms. Dillard, who wasn't injured, will be charged with failure to yield while making a left turn, he said.
Doctors, professor on cord blood panel
Two Medical College of Georgia researchers and an Augusta college professor will join a fledgling state commission to oversee the banking of cord blood from babies.
Gov. Sonny Perdue announced the appointments Thursday to the Commission for Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood Research and Medical Treatment, which he created in April through an executive order after the Legislature debated but couldn't agree on an initiative. Cord blood is considered a rich source of stem cells. MCG established a cord blood bank in 2003.
Among those appointed to the 15-member commission are Robert K. Yu, director of the Institute of Molecular Medicine and Genetics and director of the Institute of Neuroscience, both at MCG; David C. Hess, chairman of the Department of Neurology and clinical co-director of the Institute of Neuroscience at MCG; and Dr. Henry "Hank" Edmondson, of Augusta, professor of political science and public administration at Georgia College and State University. Dr. Yu and Dr. Hess have done extensive research with stem cells.
Attorney is charged with mortgage fraud
An Augusta attorney has been charged with mortgage fraud.
William O. Key Jr. was charged in DeKalb County with taking part in a $48,000 kickback after a real estate closing, District Attorney Danny Craig said.
Mr. Key, 48, has practiced law since graduating from the University of Georgia in 1983.
5 indicted in robbery of Dollar General store
Five men arrested in connection with a May armed robbery of a Dollar General in Martinez have been indicted on armed robbery charges in Columbia County, according to court documents released Thursday.
A grand jury indicted Anthony Jerome Brown, 24; Isaac Hurst Jr., 18; and Felix Tamaris Hurst, 17, all of the 200 block of Weldon Drive in Martinez, on charges of armed robbery and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, according to court documents. The grand jury also indicted two juveniles, ages 15 and 16, but their names were not released because of their ages.
The robbery occurred about 8 p.m. May 8 at the discount store at 4115 Old Petersburg Road.
Investigator involved in Aiken circle wreck
A three-vehicle wreck involving an Aiken County sheriff's investigator halted traffic at a busy downtown Aiken intersection for about an hour Thursday morning, authorities said.
The accident occurred at about 9 a.m. at a traffic circle at Park Avenue and Laurens Street.
According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, Investigator Jason Feemster turned his unmarked patrol car into the path of a Ford Explorer driven by Johnny Raley, 46, of Aiken.
Investigator Feemster was trying to make a left turn onto Park Avenue, said Lance Cpl. Scot Edgeworth, spokesman for the highway patrol.
The vehicle driven by Mr. Raley, who was taken to Aiken Regional Medical Centers, rolled and struck another vehicle that was waiting at the intersection to make a left turn onto Laurens Street.
Lance Cpl. Edgeworth said Investigator Feemster failed to yield right of way.
Officers investigate animal cruelty tip
Aiken animal control officers are investigating a complaint that a horse on Banks Mill Road was being mistreated, according to a police report.
The horse's "ribs, hip bones and spine were protruding," the report states, and it is the same animal someone reported as being mistreated June 6.
Animal Control Officer Jeff Wilson's report states that on a scale of one to five, with five being the best, the thoroughbred mare was a one.
He was unable to locate the horse's owner but has identified her, according to the report.
Man in woman's attire jailed on drunk charge
Officers arrested a Martinez man dressed in women's clothing on charges of public drunkenness Wednesday, according to a North Augusta Public Safety incident report.
Michael John Lynce, 20, of the 200 block of Pecan Drive, was put out of the car he was riding in when the other men in the vehicle discovered he was not a woman. Officers met with an Aiken County sheriff's deputy who found Mr. Lynce in the 600 block of East Buena Vista Avenue, the report said.
Mr. Lynce's speech was slurred and he could not stand up. Officers arrested him and issued him a ticket for public drunkenness.
Ex-Burke deputy gets prison for molestation
A former Burke County sheriff's deputy will serve five years in prison for child molestation.
Randal "Juan" Ivey had gotten a more lenient sentence when he pleaded guilty to the charge in June 2004. Judge J. Carlisle Overstreet granted a 10-year probation sentence under the First Offender Act.
But Wednesday, in Burke County Superior Court, Judge Overstreet revoked that sentence after learning Mr. Ivey had been visiting at his victim's home - a violation of the probation conditions, District Attorney Danny Craig said.
Authorities investigate suspicious house fire
Authorities are investigating a suspicious fire in a vacant rental property in the 1900 block of Grand Boulevard on Tuesday, said Lt. G.B. Hannan of the Richmond County Fire Department.
Someone set fire to both the middle and rear bedrooms, causing extensive damage throughout the home. There were no signs of forced entry.
A reward of up to $10,000 is offered for information leading to a conviction. Call the Richmond County Fire Marshal at (706) 821-2929.
Sex offender arrested on movement charge
A registered sex offender was arrested Thursday morning at his home on a Sex Offender Movement charge, said Columbia County sheriff's Capt. Steve Morris.
Jeffrey Jennings, 39, of the 400 block of White Road in Harlem, had been convicted of charges in a 1994 statutory rape involving a 12-year-old girl.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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