Police have released a forensic sketch of the man suspected of invading a West Victorian District home at gunpoint late last month.
A Georgia Bureau of Investigation artist created the composite sketch.
About 2 a.m. Aug. 30, the man entered the home in the 200 block of West Park Avenue and confronted the two people who lived there, said Eunicia Baker, Savannah-Chatham police spokeswoman.
The suspect and one of the occupants began to fight, and during that time the occupant may have been injured by a knife, Baker said. The suspect fired his gun, but no one was hit.
A man who lived in the home suffered serious injuries while fighting the intruder, Baker said. The woman who lives there was not injured. They both ran to a neighbor’s house for help and the intruder fled.
Police say the suspect, who is in his late 20s and weighs about 200 pounds, is black and has a short haircut and no facial hair. During the home invasion, he was wearing a dark shirt and dark pants — possibly a security uniform. He may have wounds on his shoulder and/or back. He is believed to have left the scene in a light-colored minivan.
Police are asking anyone who knows the intruder’s identity to call the anonymous CrimeStoppers service at 912-234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637) using the keyword CSTOP2020. Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.
Detectives can be reached in confidence at 912-525-3124.
Coast Guard rescues missing boaters
Two missing boaters were rescued by the Coast Guard early Friday on the southern shore of Pine Island.
Neither of the two boaters reported any serious injuries, said Petty Officer Second Class Anthony Soto.
Ronnie Hardin and Jonna Brian were rescued by a boat crew from Coast Guard Station Tybee Island when a grounded vessel that matched the description of the missing boat was discovered. The two boaters were brought aboard Station Tybee’s boat and taken to Skidaway Boat Ramp in Savannah.
Family members notified watchstanders in the Coast Guard Sector Charleston command center of the missing boaters Thursday evening, Soto said.
The initial report stated that one of the men had called his family to report his 14-foot aluminum vessel was taking on water because of rain in the area.
Watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast to notify boaters in the area of the situation and launched a Coast Guard crew aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Savannah to search.
Students evacuated after suspicious package found
Police say there was nothing harmful in a suspicious package found in a vehicle parked outside of Haven Elementary School on Friday.
The suspicious vehicle was first observed at about 6:30 a.m. by a member of the school’s custodial staff. Roughly two hours later, with student drop-offs underway, school administrators reported the unclaimed vehicle to police. Approximately 400 students were evacuated from the school and bused to a nearby community center, said Eunicia Baker, Savannah-Chatham police spokeswoman.
The police department’s bomb squad came and searched the suspicious vehicle and its contents, deciding there wasn’t a threat to public safety. Students were transported back to the school about 12:15 p.m.
New CrimeStoppers director appointed
The second director of CrimeStoppers has returned to helm Chatham County’s anonymous tip-gathering agency.
">Dodie Gay will run the 24/7 organization that allows residents to call in confidentially with information that can help police solve crimes.
Gay served nearly 10 years as the second director of the program, which began in 1983. A board of community volunteers, media representatives and law enforcement officials oversees CrimeStoppers’ awards, fundraising and policies.
The CrimeStoppers tip line serves the eight municipalities and police departments within Chatham County in addition to other county, state and federal agencies.