Three men were in custody Friday evening after they were found hiding in a Garden City house following a morning bank robbery on West Bay Street.
Savannah-Chatham police, Garden City police and FBI agents saturated the area after the Wells Fargo in the 3500 block of West Bay was robbed by two men armed with handguns about 9:40 a.m., said Julian Miller, Savannah-Chatham police spokesman.
The suspects were able to flee the bank with cash, but investigators later determined they were hiding in a home on 5th Street in Garden City.
There, 24-year-old Brandon Williams, 20-year-old John D. Simmons and 27-year-old Jarrod M. Johnson were apprehended and each was charged with armed robbery, Miller said.
Investigators found guns and masks police said were used in the robbery at the house.
They also found the cash that had been taken from the bank, Miller said.
Savannah-Chatham robbery detectives and FBI agents were continuing their investigation into the Friday morning robbery, Miller said.
He asked that anyone with information call CrimeStoppers at 912-234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637).
Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.
A confidential tip line also is open directly to investigators at 912-525-3124.
Four displaced by Thursday night fire
A family of four was displaced Thursday night after a fire at their Bloomingdale home, the Red Cross reported.
Chatham County Disaster Action Team volunteers responded to the fire, which reportedly destroyed the home at 505 E. Gregor St.
Two adults and two children, ages 10 and 11, were displaced. Volunteers provided the family with funds for food and clothing.
The family had a place to stay Thursday night and will be provided funds for several days in temporary shelter Friday morning, when they meet with another volunteer caseworker, the Red Cross said.
The Red Cross encourages the public to join in support of assisting disaster victims by becoming volunteers or sending a financial donation to the American Red Cross at 41 Park of Commerce Way, Building 200, Savannah, GA 31405. For more information, call 912-651-5300.
Police cadets become sworn officers
Twenty Savannah-Chatham County police and four Chatham sheriff deputy recruits were among the 35 cadets who graduated Friday from the Georgia Public Safety Training Center — Garden City.
The group represents nine law enforcement agencies. Their graduation follows 11 weeks of intense training.
The graduates are now certified as sworn law enforcement officers in Georgia.
The ceremony took place at the Fine Arts Auditorium on the campus of Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah. Chief Deputy Roy Harris of the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office was the guest speaker.
“Remember, when you’re sworn in as a police officer, deputy sheriff or whatever, it’s a badge of honor,” he said “It is something that you should be very, very proud of. It is a privilege to wear this badge, not a right.”
Some of the recruits will continue their training at their respective agencies.
Savannah-Chatham police recruits include: Cody Ensanian, Brian Espinoza, Michael Gonzales Jr., Ariel Gonzalez, John Holden, Joshua Holz, Dyllan O’Neil, Nicholas Reno, Matthew Rich, Jon Champion, Marcus Crider, Matthew Davis, Justin Miller, Nader Mirtolooi, John Morris III, Ronald Neslein Jr., Kasey Owens, Brian Smith and Jared Steen.
Chatham sheriff deputy recruits are: Diana Gubko, David Jones, Sandra Grimaldi and Willie Wallace.
Police warn of door-to-door scam
Savannah-Chatham police have received multiple reports of door-to-door salespersons attempting to trade a $1,500 home security system for the right to use residents in advertising.
Investigators have found no legitimate business in the area operating that way, said Julian Miller, police spokesman. The reports, so far, have come from the Ardsley Park area. Miller warned residents any door-to-door salespeople should be able to show a permit to operate from the city.
Just because a salesperson is wearing a shirt with a legitimate-looking logo doesn’t mean he belongs there. Residents who are unsure about the legitimacy of any door-to-door salesperson should contact police, Miller said.
Railroad crossing on Dean Forest to close
The Georgia Department of Transportation and the Georgia Central Railway will close a Pooler railroad crossing this morning for repairs.
The crossing on Dean Forest Road between U.S. 80 and Interstate 16 will close at 8 a.m. and remain closed to traffic through 5 p.m. Monday, weather permitting.
Motorists will be able to access businesses, schools and residences right up to the work zone. Detour routes will be signed as followed:
• Northbound traffic on Dean Forest will detour 2.37 miles west on I-16, then proceed to Interstate 95 northbound. From there, motorists will travel 2.23 miles north and exit at U.S. 80 eastbound. Traffic will then travel east 2.82 miles before reuniting with Dean Forest.
• Southbound traffic will detour 2.82 miles west on U.S. 80, then turn onto I-95 southbound. From there, motorists will travel 2.57 miles south and exit onto I-16 eastbound, where they will exit onto Dean Forest after about 2.5 miles.
Compiled by Marcus E. Howard and Corey Dickstein