Across the area

Police say man linked to attempted burglary

Investigators have identified a man who they think is responsible for trying to break into a home in the Hill area.

Damien Wilkinson, 23, of the 2800 block of Oakland Avenue, is wanted on a charge of criminal attempt burglary involving an April 17 incident at a home on Bransford Road, according to Richmond County sheriff's Lt. Tony Walden. There have been seven burglaries that investigators think are related since the last week of March, many near Walton Way and nearby roads. Lt. Walden said authorities are not sure whether Mr. Wilkinson was involved with any other burglaries, but he was a "person of interest."

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's office at (706) 821-1080.

Student arrested for school fight

Investigators have arrested another Academy of Richmond County student in connection with an April 3 disturbance involving hundreds of students.

The unnamed juvenile turned himself in to Richmond County sheriff's investigators Monday night and was charged with unlawful street gang activity and inciting a riot, according to sheriff's Sgt. Richard Roundtree. Police said they think the juvenile and five others arrested at the school Monday were flashing gang signs and urging other students to join fights. Authorities are still searching for Johndrick Barnes, 17, in connection with the incident.

Waste facility has first shipment

A new facility designed to decontaminate salt wastes at Savannah River Site received its initial transfer of radioactive materials this week.

The facility, which began receiving waste this week, will provide interim treatment programs and operating experience for larger facilities that are planned.

Naked man wipes feces on vehicles

A man stripped off his clothes, ran naked into the parking lot of the Richmond County Sheriff's Office, then wiped feces on a parked car Tuesday afternoon.

Roland Bolin, 55, of Augusta, had just been released from the Richmond County jail when he apparently defecated in his pants, then stripped naked in public, said Deputy Erik Norman, who responded to the scene.

"We took him across the street and sprayed his hands off before we put him in the car," Deputy Norman said. "Just one of the duties of the job."

Mr. Bolin had been arrested earlier that day on a disorderly conduct charge. He was transported to the Georgia Regional Medical Center for a mental evaluation, Deputy Norman said.

17-year-old arrested in connection to drive-by

Aiken Public Safety arrested a 17-year-old Aiken resident this weekend in connection with a drive-by shooting early Saturday.

Quentin Woods was arrested on charges of discharging a firearm in the city limits, possession of a pistol by a minor, unlawful carrying of a pistol and failure to comply.

According to a public safety incident report, officers received a report of shots fired in the area of Hampton Avenue and Kershaw Street about 2:15 a.m. Saturday.

As officers arrived, a gold Saturn reportedly left the area at a high rate of speed. Officers pulled the car over, and Mr. Woods reportedly ran.

The officers caught up with him on Alfred Street and recover a Mauser .380-caliber handgun that had been discarded, according to the report.

A spent shell casing was lodged in the ejector. Officers, who searched Mr. Woods' car, say they found a .380-caliber bullet in the passenger seat.

Mr. Woods admitted to being involved in the shooting, according to the report.

However, he told police someone in an orange Chevrolet fired several shots at his vehicle and that he returned fire, the report said.

Woman, 51, dies in wreck on Highway 125

Linda Jones, 51, of Jackson, died Tuesday morning in a crash on Highway 125 in Aiken County.

According to a statement released by the Aiken Coroner's Office, Mrs. Jones was pronounced dead at 8:53 am. She worked at the Allendale Correctional facility in Allendale, S.C.

The coroner said Mrs. Jones was traveling north on Highway 125, through Savannah River Site, when the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu she was driving crossed the center line and struck the rear trailer of a 2006 Freightliner Tractor Trailer driven by Chris Myers of Warrenville, S.C.

The death is under investigation by the coroner because Mrs. Jones is believed to have had a pre-existing medical condition that might have contributed to the crash. An autopsy is planned.

-- From staff reports