Augusta man arrested today after violent attack on man, woman

An Augusta man was arrested early today after police say he attacked two people, then barricaded himself in his bedroom in an attempt to overdose on cocaine before deputies could arrest him.

Todd Wayne Griffey, 23, of the 3300 block of Tobin Street, faces charges of aggravated assault, armed robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of marijuana less than an ounce, according to Richmond County Sheriff’s Lt. Scott Peebles.

Deputies were called to the 3500 block of Pebble Creek Drive to a home that also belonged to the suspect, after neighbors reported a man wearing nothing but pants was knocking on doors yelling for help, Lt. Peebles said.

The man, whom police identified as James Stachowiak, said he was at the home with the suspect and a woman acquaintance Jennafer Thompson, when the suspect began doing cocaine and became aggressive.

Mr. Griffey allegedly pointed a gun at the victim and began striking him because he claimed the victim set him up in a robbery several years ago, Lt. Peebles said.

Ms. Thompson tried to stop the beating and Mr. Griffey then began beating her in the head with the gun. The suspect then ordered Mr. Stachowiak to remove his shirt and shoes then ordered him into a back bedroom.

Two more men arrived at the home and they all began beating the victim. Fearing for his life, Lt. Peebles said Mr. Stachowiak ran from the room and began yelling for help.

Deputies located Mr. Griffey at his Tobin Street home and followed a blood trail to the door. They forced their way inside and found Ms. Thompson bleeding from several wounds to her head.

Mr. Griffey had locked himself in a bedroom where he was trying to overdose by snorting a large amount of cocaine, Lt. Peebles said.

“When they got in the house and found her, she indicated he was in a back bedroom attempting to overdose before they could take him into custody,” Lt. Peebles said.

Authorities are still attempting to identify the other two men who attacked Mr. Stachowiak, he said.