Parker’s station robbed at gunpoint

Lewis Levine

A Hinesville convenience store was robbed Sunday night shortly before 9:30 p.m.

Hinesville Patrolman, Joe Cephus was dispatched to the Parker’s convenience store located in the 900 block of West Oglethorpe Highway. According to an incident report he filed Cephus said the female clerk was in the store with her boyfriend when a man wearing a black shirt, jean shorts, a cap and a face mask, entered the store. The clerk told Cehpus, the man walked toward the soda fountain drink area where he allegedly pulled a gun and ordered the clerk’s boyfriend to lie on the ground. 

While allegedly pointing the gun at the clerk, the suspect allegedly told the clerk to open the register. The suspect proceeded to take an undisclosed amount of cash from the register. When he finished rifling through the register he demanded the clerk to also lie on the ground while he exited the store. The clerk was unable to tell Cephus whether the suspect fled on foot or a vehicle.  Neither the clerk nor her boyfriend were injured during the robbery.

While a Black Dodge Charger was seen in the video surveillance footage officer Cephus said it was unclear of the vehicle and the people at the car were involved in the robbery. However Cephus said the video showed the Charger had red stripes on the side of the hood, has tinted windows and writing on the top front rear windshield. The car was caught on tape as the male driver was getting fuel. There was a female with the man as well.

Hinesville Police Detective Doug Snider said if anyone has information to contact the detectives division at 368-8215, HPD Front Desk 368-8211 or 911.

Florida man arrested after high speed chase through Midway

Lewis Levine

According to a press release from the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office a Florida man was arrested just after 8 a.m. May 5, after attempting to elude police.

According to Liberty County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer, Susan Willis the chase began shortly before 7 a.m. when Liberty County Deputy, Anthony Brown observed a motorist later identified as Ashton Barclay allegedly fail to maintain his lane and drive in a reckless manner on E.B. Cooper Highway. When Brown attempted to pull Barclay over, he allegedly began to increase his speed allegedly exceeding 100 miles per hour.

A trooper with the Georgia State Patrol joined in the chase and after allegedly running other motorists off the road and damaging a billboard sign and a fence, the trooper initiated the PIT maneuver (pursuit intervention technique) on North Coastal Highway near Midway. The maneuver caused Barclay to lose control of his vehicle.

Barclay received a minor injury to his head and was treated at Liberty Regional Medical Center in Hinesville where he was treated and released into the custody of LCSO deputies. Barclay is facing numerous traffic violation charges which at press time includes fleeing, failing to stop and failing to comply with traffic control devices. More charges are possible.

Marijuana Grow Operation Busted In Multiagency Operation

Lewis Levine

What law enforcement authorities are describing as a marijuana grow operation was put out of business when agents from the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office and the Hinesville Police Department busted the operation May 4, in the afternoon. The operation was based in Hinesville.

According to Liberty County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer, Susan Willis, the Liberty County Narcotics Unit received information concerning a marijuana grow operation at a residence in Hinesville. The agents working in conjunction with the Hinesville Police Narcotics and Crime Suppression Unit, went to the residence where they detected the odor of marijuana coming from inside the residence.

The resident, identified as Jovan Edwards, 25, cooperated fully with the agents and allowed them to enter the home located at Happy Acres Mobile Home Park on Kelly Drive.

Willis said, “Once the agents made entry into the home they discovered a complex marijuana grow operation.”  According to Willis the agents discovered 60 marijuana plants, a firearm, over $3,000 in cash, THC edibles, an amount of THC Wax, and over two pounds of marijuana ready for sale.

Edwards, was charged with the Manufacturing of Schedule 1 Controlled Substances, Manufacturing of Marijuana, Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony, and Possession of Tools for the Commission of a Crime.
Edwards has posted $19,100 bond and has since been released.