Former LaGrange church treasurer charged with theft
Published 12:00 am Friday, November 6, 2015
Investigators with the Troup County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday afternoon they arrested a former church treasurer after discovering thousands of dollars taken from the church’s account.
John Dewayne Murphy, 51, of LaGrange, was charged with theft by taking over $1,500.
According to investigators, church leaders at Friendship Baptist Church, 106 N. Barnard St., filed a report with the sheriff’s office after discovering money missing.
Murphy allegedly told investigators he took money from the church in a variety of ways over many years and used it for daily expenses, house payments and other personal expenditures, according to a sheriff’s report.
Investigators allege the total amount of money taken by Murphy is more than $80,000.
Murphy was in the Troup County Jail this morning awaiting a bond hearing.
Home invasion
LaGrange police responded to a burglary in progress about 11 a.m. Wednesday at a home in the 600 block of North Greenwood Street.
A juvenile who was inside the home said at least three male suspects on the outside were banging on the door. When the three males forced their way inside, the juvenile ran to his mother’s work place, where someone called police.
Officers said several items were taken from the home.
Detectives asked anyone with information to call LaGrange police at 706-883-2603 or Troup County Crime Stoppers at 706-812-1000.
LaGrange utilities employee assaulted
An employee who works for the utilities collections department at LaGrange City Hall, 200 Ridley Ave., told LaGrange police she was physically and verbally assaulted by a customer.
Officers responded to a panic alarm from the building on Tuesday.
The employee told officers a woman came into her office and asked for assistance to have her utilities turned back on in her home. According to the employee, the woman presented her with a driver’s license that was heavily damaged with cuts and bends. The employee told officers she advised the customer that per company procedure, she could not accept the license in that manner.
The employee said the female became very angry and began screaming at her and threw the license in her face, which struck her just above the lip.
The incident was caught by security cameras. Police said charges may be pending.
