Over the past several days, the Winder Police Department has had numerous reports of a scam utilizing the same story.
Someone calls the victim claiming to be a deputy from the Barrow County Sheriff's Office and uses the name of an actual supervisor currently employed with the sheriff's office.
The caller says, “You failed to show up for jury duty this morning and there is now a warrant for your arrest. If you pay the $500 fine right now we will clear things up and when you show up, you can get your money back.”
Once the scammers get the first $500, they try and get additional funds by saying there are back-taxes due. They demand payment via Money Pak cards. The phone numbers have been untraceable so far.
Many of the reporting potential victims knew it was a scam and hung up. However, several have paid money, some totaling in the thousands. If you receive this type of call, just hang up, law enforcement officials said. If you think you may owe money for a fine or other court fee, call the police department or sheriff’s office directly, they added.
Citizens should be aware that the sheriff’s office, the police department, nor the IRS will call you and demand you pay money over the phone. Also, these scammers can get names of officers off the web pages of these departments so it is likely the names they are using are actual employees. If you feel you have been a victim of this type of incident, please call your local law enforcement agency and report it immediately.
Public Safety Archives
Scam alert issued by Winder police
Wednesday, September 28. 2016
Fire Prevention Day planned
The City of Winder Fire Department will host Fire Prevention Day on Saturday, Oct. 1.
The Winder Fire Department invites the public to join them at 90 North Broad Street, downtown Winder from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. At Winder Fire Station 1 you will be able to flow water from the fire hose, climb on the trucks, visit with firefighters, jump in the Fire Dog Inflatable, tour the Fire Safety House and eat lunch free. Sparky the Fire Dog will visit, too.
Come join the fun and learn about Fire Safety, fire department officials said.
The Winder Fire Department invites the public to join them at 90 North Broad Street, downtown Winder from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. At Winder Fire Station 1 you will be able to flow water from the fire hose, climb on the trucks, visit with firefighters, jump in the Fire Dog Inflatable, tour the Fire Safety House and eat lunch free. Sparky the Fire Dog will visit, too.
Come join the fun and learn about Fire Safety, fire department officials said.
Two die in Hwy. 316 accident
Wednesday, September 14. 2016
Two drivers were killed in an early-morning accident Saturday on Hwy. 316 between Hwy. 81 and Carl-Bethlehem Road.
Anthony Hawkins, 21, of Bethlehem, and Aileen Fisk, 39, of Monroe, were both pronounced dead at the scene. Fisk was driving a Dodge Charger westbound in the eastbound lane when she struck a Nissan Rogue being driven by Hawkins, Barrow County Sheriff’s Office officials said. Both vehicles were occupied only by the drivers.
Hawkins is a 2013 graduate of Apalachee High School and was a member of the school’s cross country, soccer and track teams. His funeral is Saturday, Sept. 17, at River Hills Church in Winder at 3 p.m.
The visitation for Fisk, who taught at Atha Road Elementary in Monroe, is from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at Smith Memorial Chapel in Winder. The funeral will follow.
Hwy. 316 was closed for approximately two and a half hours. The BCSO is currently investigating the accident, officials said.
Anthony Hawkins, 21, of Bethlehem, and Aileen Fisk, 39, of Monroe, were both pronounced dead at the scene. Fisk was driving a Dodge Charger westbound in the eastbound lane when she struck a Nissan Rogue being driven by Hawkins, Barrow County Sheriff’s Office officials said. Both vehicles were occupied only by the drivers.
Hawkins is a 2013 graduate of Apalachee High School and was a member of the school’s cross country, soccer and track teams. His funeral is Saturday, Sept. 17, at River Hills Church in Winder at 3 p.m.
The visitation for Fisk, who taught at Atha Road Elementary in Monroe, is from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at Smith Memorial Chapel in Winder. The funeral will follow.
Hwy. 316 was closed for approximately two and a half hours. The BCSO is currently investigating the accident, officials said.
Former BCSO deputy among two charged in insurance fraud scheme
Two Winder men were recently arrested for their alleged involvement in insurance fraud.
On Aug. 11, at approximately 1:45 p.m., officers with the Winder Police Department arrested Donald Avery Reynolds, 56, 320 Harrison Lane, Winder, and Gerald Edgar Moon, 66, of the same address.
Both arrests are in connection with an insurance fraud investigation conducted by the Winder Police Department over the past several months. [Full Story »]
On Aug. 11, at approximately 1:45 p.m., officers with the Winder Police Department arrested Donald Avery Reynolds, 56, 320 Harrison Lane, Winder, and Gerald Edgar Moon, 66, of the same address.
Both arrests are in connection with an insurance fraud investigation conducted by the Winder Police Department over the past several months. [Full Story »]
Inmate death ruled accidental
The death of a man who was an inmate in the Barrow County Detention Center has been ruled an accident.
A spokesman with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation told the Barrow Journal Monday afternoon that Johnathan Ray Manus died from injuries “consistent with a ground level fall.”
After officials reviewed video tape and talked with others at the Detention Center, the death has been ruled an accident.
Manus died at a local hospital and not at the Detention Center, GBI spokesman Jesse Maddox said.
The death has officially been ruled an accident and the Detention Center has been cleared of any wrongdoing. Manus died April 18 after going into “medical distress” the previous day.
Maddox said Monday an official release on the investigation into Manus’ death would be given later this week.
A spokesman with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation told the Barrow Journal Monday afternoon that Johnathan Ray Manus died from injuries “consistent with a ground level fall.”
After officials reviewed video tape and talked with others at the Detention Center, the death has been ruled an accident.
Manus died at a local hospital and not at the Detention Center, GBI spokesman Jesse Maddox said.
The death has officially been ruled an accident and the Detention Center has been cleared of any wrongdoing. Manus died April 18 after going into “medical distress” the previous day.
Maddox said Monday an official release on the investigation into Manus’ death would be given later this week.
Barrow K9 officer receives protective vest
The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office K9, Ace, is receiving a bullet and stab protective vest donated by a charitable non-profit organization, “Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.”
K9 Ace is a four-year-old German Shepherd certified in Narcotic Detection and Apprehension. He is certified through AWD and NNDDA and is assigned to Deputy Marvin Tarver. K9 Ace and Deputy Tarver have been a team since 2013 and they train each week with other agencies, including Habersham County Sheriff’s Office, Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office and the Lawrenceville Police Department. K9 Ace has assisted with over three million dollars in seizures and several successful tracks.
In 2015, Ace and Deputy Tarver placed First in Narcotic Detection in the South Eastern United States. “Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.” is a 501c charity located in East Taunton, Mass. whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States.
Since its inception, the group has provided over 1900 protective vests in 49 states through private and corporate donations at a cost of over 1.6 million dollars.
The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $1,050.
Each vest has a value between $1795 and $2234 and a five-year warranty, and an average weight of 4-5 pounds.
K9 Ace is a four-year-old German Shepherd certified in Narcotic Detection and Apprehension. He is certified through AWD and NNDDA and is assigned to Deputy Marvin Tarver. K9 Ace and Deputy Tarver have been a team since 2013 and they train each week with other agencies, including Habersham County Sheriff’s Office, Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office and the Lawrenceville Police Department. K9 Ace has assisted with over three million dollars in seizures and several successful tracks.
In 2015, Ace and Deputy Tarver placed First in Narcotic Detection in the South Eastern United States. “Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.” is a 501c charity located in East Taunton, Mass. whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States.
Since its inception, the group has provided over 1900 protective vests in 49 states through private and corporate donations at a cost of over 1.6 million dollars.
The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $1,050.
Each vest has a value between $1795 and $2234 and a five-year warranty, and an average weight of 4-5 pounds.
WPD to begin using body cameras
Officers with the Winder Police Department are set to begin wearing new body cameras, chief Jim Fullington said.
The chief, during an update on his department to the Winder City Council, said the cameras have arrived and are ready for distribution to his officers following testing.
Fullington had announced approximately nine months ago that the WPD was taking part in a demonstration process to implement the new equipment,.
The cameras, of which one was demonstrated to the city council at its May 3 meeting, can record for five hours and will operate similar to cameras inside patrol vehicles.
Footage will be available for downloading simultaneously.
“This will help treat everyone as fairly and equally as possible,” the chief said.
The chief, during an update on his department to the Winder City Council, said the cameras have arrived and are ready for distribution to his officers following testing.
Fullington had announced approximately nine months ago that the WPD was taking part in a demonstration process to implement the new equipment,.
The cameras, of which one was demonstrated to the city council at its May 3 meeting, can record for five hours and will operate similar to cameras inside patrol vehicles.
Footage will be available for downloading simultaneously.
“This will help treat everyone as fairly and equally as possible,” the chief said.
Loggins promoted to Communication Divisions Supervisor
Barrow County Emergency Services recently promoted Cathy Loggins to Communication Divisions Supervisor.
“Cathy has worked hard since joining our Communication Division since August 2013,” said Chief John Skinner. “She is a true asset to the department and I know she will do well in this new position.”
Loggins is a certified communication officers through the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training. She is also certified as a Georgia Crime Information Systems Terminal Operator. She came to the department with customer service experience after working in the banking industry.
Since joining Barrow County Emergency Services, Loggins has become known for her optimism and her willingness to fill in wherever she can help the communication center. She is willing to pick up extra shifts when needed and cover for other communication officers that are sick. “Cathy is a great example of the men and women that work for our department and is well deserving of this promotion,” commented Chief Skinner. “I am proud to promote her and look forward to seeing her fulfill her duties in this new role.”
“Cathy has worked hard since joining our Communication Division since August 2013,” said Chief John Skinner. “She is a true asset to the department and I know she will do well in this new position.”
Loggins is a certified communication officers through the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training. She is also certified as a Georgia Crime Information Systems Terminal Operator. She came to the department with customer service experience after working in the banking industry.
Since joining Barrow County Emergency Services, Loggins has become known for her optimism and her willingness to fill in wherever she can help the communication center. She is willing to pick up extra shifts when needed and cover for other communication officers that are sick. “Cathy is a great example of the men and women that work for our department and is well deserving of this promotion,” commented Chief Skinner. “I am proud to promote her and look forward to seeing her fulfill her duties in this new role.”
Suspects escape after attempted robbery of Winder pawn shop
The City of Winder Police Department responded to a business alarm at Cash America Pawn located on South Broad Street in downtown Winder on April 14.
Two officers responded to the business and located a rear door that appeared to have been broken into.
The responding officers heard a vehicle nearby that sounded to them as if it may be fleeing from the scene. Another WPD officer was responding in a patrol car and spotted a dark in color SUV driving recklessly and at a high rate of speed.
Upon attempting to pull the vehicle over, the SUV failed to stop and increased in speed. The Winder Officer pursued the SUV briefly before the driver and one occupant jumped out of the vehicle less than a mile from where the pawnshop is located.
Two males were observed running from the vehicle in different directions. Neither of the males were apprehended at that time. The vehicle was taken into evidence and a search warrant was obtained to search its contents. Numerous items such as laptops, jewelry and other electronics believed to have been stolen from the pawnshop were located inside the SUV along with tools that may have been used to break into the building.
The investigation is ongoing at this time, WPD officials said.
Two officers responded to the business and located a rear door that appeared to have been broken into.
The responding officers heard a vehicle nearby that sounded to them as if it may be fleeing from the scene. Another WPD officer was responding in a patrol car and spotted a dark in color SUV driving recklessly and at a high rate of speed.
Upon attempting to pull the vehicle over, the SUV failed to stop and increased in speed. The Winder Officer pursued the SUV briefly before the driver and one occupant jumped out of the vehicle less than a mile from where the pawnshop is located.
Two males were observed running from the vehicle in different directions. Neither of the males were apprehended at that time. The vehicle was taken into evidence and a search warrant was obtained to search its contents. Numerous items such as laptops, jewelry and other electronics believed to have been stolen from the pawnshop were located inside the SUV along with tools that may have been used to break into the building.
The investigation is ongoing at this time, WPD officials said.
Intoxicated man demands trip to jail
Auburn Police Department officers answered a call on Parks Mill Road in reference to a dispute.
The complainant reported that his brother had been drinking most of the evening and broke a television and a DVD player inside the residence. When speaking with the complainant’s brother, Reginald Townsend Phifer, 54, of Parks Mill Road, he stated that he did not want the complainant to watch DVD’s on his television so he tossed it on the floor.
He became belligerent with the officer while answering questions and lunged and fell into another officer on the scene.
He became even more belligerent and demanded to be taken to jail, according to reports. After being placed in handcuffs, he began kicking at an officer and refused to get in the patrol vehicle.
He was secured and transported to the Gwinnett County Jail and charged with disorderly conduct.
The complainant reported that his brother had been drinking most of the evening and broke a television and a DVD player inside the residence. When speaking with the complainant’s brother, Reginald Townsend Phifer, 54, of Parks Mill Road, he stated that he did not want the complainant to watch DVD’s on his television so he tossed it on the floor.
He became belligerent with the officer while answering questions and lunged and fell into another officer on the scene.
He became even more belligerent and demanded to be taken to jail, according to reports. After being placed in handcuffs, he began kicking at an officer and refused to get in the patrol vehicle.
He was secured and transported to the Gwinnett County Jail and charged with disorderly conduct.
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