Across the area

Two people injured in wreck in Appling

Two people were airlifted to the Medical College of Georgia Hospital on Monday afternoon after a three-car wreck on Washington Road.

Gregory Teasley, 48, of Faircloth Drive in Evans, and Mari Lee Stewart, 74, of Keg Creek Drive in Appling, were taken to the hospital by AirMed helicopter.

The wreck occurred about 3:30 p.m. on Washington Road at M&M Road in Appling. Police say Mr. Teasley, who was eastbound, crossed the center line and grazed a GMC truck driven by Brandon Goodwin, 28, of Grovetown. Mr. Teasley's Suzuki Reno then struck Ms. Stewart's Jeep Cherokee head-on.

Ms. Stewart was in critical condition Monday, and Mr. Teasley was in serious condition, hospital spokeswoman Denise Parrish said. Mr. Goodwin was not hurt.

Charges against Mr. Teasley are pending, Columbia County sheriff's Capt. Steve Morris said.

2 more teens charged in robbery attempt

The Aiken Department of Public Safety has made two more arrests in connection with a taxi cab robbery last week.

Marquan Ryans, 16, of Aiken, is being charged as an adult but will be held at a Department of Juvenile Justice facility in Columbia until he can make bond, Sgt. Aaron Dowdy of Aiken Public Safety said Monday.

Mr. Ryans is charged with attempted armed robbery and assault and battery with intent to kill.

A 15-year-old who is not being identified because of his age also was arrested Monday, Sgt. Dowdy said. He will be treated as a juvenile and will also be held in Columbia.

Taqueisha Stephanie Keitt, 18, was charged last week with attempted armed robbery and assault and battery with intent to kill, according to Aiken County jail records.

The robbery attempt occurred Thursday on Columbia Avenue, Sgt. Dowdy said. He said the group tried to rob the driver and a passenger, but the taxi drove off. Sgt. Dowdy said shots fired at the cab shattered a back window.

Man still sought for questioning in thefts

Richmond County investigators continue to ask for the public's help in the search for a Hephzibah man wanted for questioning in a series of burglaries in Richmond County.

Terry Black 23, of the 2800 block of Lake Ontario Street, is wanted on a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, Richmond County sheriff's Investigator Alton Creech said.

Deputies believe Mr. Black sold a weapon to 18-year-old Brandon Kersey. Mr. Kersey and 17-year-old Tyrel Booker were arrested on burglary charges last week. After that arrest, deputies recovered three dune buggies, five four-wheelers, four dirt bikes and several parts.

Anyone with information on Mr. Black is asked to call (706) 821-1080 or (706) 821-1020.

Man robbed outside apartment, he reports

An Augusta man told police he was beaten and robbed while trying to enter his apartment early Sunday.

The 40-year-old victim said two men approached him and hit him in the back of the head with a stick, a Richmond County sheriff's report said.

The assailants then began kicking him in the chest and face while demanding money, the report states.

They took $85 from the victim's pocket and fled on foot.

Teenager is charged in armed robbery

A 15-year-old has been arrested and charged with an armed robbery that occurred in the parking lot of Club 3000 on Gordon Highway about 11 a.m. Monday.

According to a Richmond County sheriff's report, Letorris Jamal McDuffie was involved in the armed robbery of a 22-year-old Augusta man. The report states that the victim was shopping when he was motioned over to the club's parking lot by two black males and two black females.

The victim exited his vehicle, one of the men put a pistol to the victim's chest and took a wallet containing $2,000 and a cell phone. The subjects fled on foot.

One of the males was later seen riding a bicycle at the Budget Inn on Gordon Highway, and when he was approached by a police officer, he began to flee. He was later taken into custody.

Board votes to fill seat in November

A special election to replace Richmond County Board of Education District 5 trustee Joe Scott will be held in tandem with the Nov. 3 election.

The Board of Elections voted unanimously Monday to hold it on the general election date, costing the city less than $100 to publish a legal advertisement in The Augusta Chronicle, as opposed to about $85,000 to hold a single-office election Sept. 15. No extra polling places will have to be open, because District 5 City Commissioner Calvin Holland's seat also is on the ballot.

The Sept. 15 date wouldn't have worked anyway because the U.S. Department of Justice needs 60 days to review the election under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, according to elections board Executive Director Lynn Bailey.

Mr. Scott, 73, died in his sleep July 25. He had won a second school board term in November, which his replacement will serve out through 2012.

Qualifying begins Aug. 31 at 8:30 a.m. and ends Sept. 4 at 4:30 p.m.

Woman says swindler impersonated officer

A 25-year-old Augusta woman said a man claiming to be a Richmond County deputy swindled her out of $747 on Sunday. The victim said she received a call from "Officer Porter," who said her friend was in jail for DUI, according to a Richmond County sheriff's office report.

The man told her to send a money gram to "Castleberry Bonds" in order to get her friend out of jail, the report states. Deputies later confirmed that the victim's friend had not been arrested for DUI.