Police are investigating after a man was shot and then crashed a car into a hotel outbuilding near downtown Savannah early Friday morning.
The man, 26, was found by police in a car that had overturned and crashed into the guard station at the Savannah Marriott Riverfront on Gen. McIntosh Boulevard about 2:51 a.m.
He had been driving east on Bay Street and Gen. McIntosh when someone in another vehicle began shooting at his car, said Julian Miller, Savannah-Chatham police spokesman.
Detectives believe the shooter singled out the man’s vehicle.
The shooting victim was transported to Memorial University Medical Center, where he refused to cooperate with investigators and checked himself out of the hospital, Miller said.
Police ask anyone with information on the case to call CrimeStoppers at 912-234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637) using the keyword CSTOP2020. Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify a cash reward.
Investigators can be reached confidentially at 912-525-3124.
18 arrested in warrant sweep
A multi-agency warrant round-up carried out Friday morning in Chatham County netted 18 arrests.
The Chatham County deputies, U.S. marshals and the county probation office went to work early Friday to round up some of the Savannah area’s more elusive fugitives, said Gena Bilbo, Chatham County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman.
Three of those arrested during the sweep were charged with hindering the arrest of one subject that was wanted in three counties, she said.
Charges vary from probation violation to failing to register as a sex offender.
The sheriff’s office provided the following list of people arrested and the charges they face:
• Tanisha Miller — state court contempt.
• Anthony Jensen — Recorder’s Court probation violation.
• Yvonne Campbell — State Court probation violation.
• Mark A. Smalls Jr. — State Court probation violation.
• Ricky Boyd — Superior Court probation violation (sex offender).
• Rodney Roberts — Superior Court probation (sex offender).
• James Miller — Superior Court probation violation (sex offender).
• Scott Provencher — Field arrest (failure to register as a sex offender).
• Willard Clark — Superior Court probation violation.
• Antwan Parrish — Superior Court probation violation.
• George Barnett — Superior Court contempt.
• Johnnie Hammond — fugitive (Tennessee).
• Christopher Mincey — out of county warrant (Effingham).
• Darwayne Smith — fugitive (Florida).
• Marcus Parker — out of county (McIntosh, Gwinnett and Fulton).
• Mutassa Young — obstruction (hindering arrest of Marcus Parker).
• Aysha Holmes — obstruction (hindering arrest of Marcus Parker).
• Terrance Miller — obstruction (hindering arrest of Marcus Parker).
Police search for restaurant robbery suspect
Savannah-Chatham police are searching for the person who robbed an east Savannah restaurant at gunpoint Tuesday night.
A man wearing dark clothing entered Top China on the 4400 block of Skidaway Road, pulled a gun out and demanded cash from employees, said Julian Miller, police spokesman.
Once employees gave the man money, he left the restaurant and headed west on Delesseps Avenue, Miller said.
Investigators obtained surveillance footage of the robbery.
Police say the suspect is a black male who stands about 6 feet tall and weighs roughly 180 pounds.
Robbery detectives ask anyone with information on the suspect’s identity to call CrimeStoppers at 912-234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637) using the keyword (CSTOP2020). Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.
Investigators can be reached confidentially at 912-525-3124.
Police seek family of man fatally struck by pickup
Police in Savannah are asking the public for help locating the family of a 59-year-old homeless man who died after being struck by a pickup on East President Street on Thursday evening.
Officers with the Savannah-Chatham police department’s Major Accident Investigation Team have exhausted all avenues trying to find relatives of David Lee Marks, said Julian Miller, police spokesman.
Marks was pushing a shopping cart across the westbound lanes of East President Street about 8:30 p.m. when he walked into the path of a Ford F-150 driven by a 25-year-old Savannah woman, Miller said. He was wearing dark clothing.
He was transported to Memorial University Medical Center where he died.
The investigation is ongoing.
The driver of the pickup was not injured, Miller said.
Sheriff’s office alerts public to scam
The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office is warning area residents about a scam involving its office and the court system.
On at least eight occasions people identifying themselves as Clerk of Superior Court Daniel Massey or Lt. Anthony Johnson of the U.S. Marshals Service have called potential victims stating there was a fine they needed to pay for contempt of court, said Gena Bilbo, sheriff’s spokeswoman.
The caller would say the contempt of court charge was issued for not responding to a jury summons. He went on to tell them to report to the court house with a Green Dot card and pay, Bilbo said.
The Chatham County Courthouse administrative staff does call about jury summons but will never demand payment or ask for personal financial information.
The sheriff’s office does not contact anyone by phone directing them to put money on an account to pay a bond, Bilbo said. A deputy will hand deliver a subpoena or any process. Any jury notices will come by mail.
If anyone feels they have been a victim of this scam or has any information they should contact Internal Affairs the sheriff’s office at 912-652-7693.
Longtime Savannah Fire official retires
Savannah Fire & Emergency Services bid farewell to a longtime firefighter Friday during a ceremony at the Civic Center.
Battalion Chief Dennis Cook retired after more than 32 years of service to the department.
During his time at Savannah Fire, Cook took the lead in the department’s SCBA program, said department spokesman Mark Keller. The SCBAs are the breathing apparatuses that allow firefighters to work in hazardous conditions.
Cook was also key in developing the department’s first responder protocols, Keller said.
Cook was presented with an SCBA air tank signed by many Savannah firefighters. He was also given his battalion chief’s helmet as a keepsake. Additionally, he was presented by Fire Chief Charles G. Middleton with his badge and collar brass as tokens of appreciation.
Roadwork to affect Abercorn traffic on southside this weekend
Two eastbound/northbound lanes of Abercorn Street between Wilshire Boulevard and Largo drive will be closed from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and Sunday, weather permitting.
The lane closures will be used for asphalt repairs. Motorists should expect delays.
Compiled by Dash Coleman
CHATHAM COUNTY BOOKED
To see pictures and details for individuals serving their initial incarceration in Chatham County, as reported by the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, go to booked.savannahnow.com.