Burglar takes advantage of LaGrange resident’s bad situation

Published 12:00 am Friday, January 8, 2016

Public Safety Reports

By Melanie Ruberti

mruberti@civitasmedia.com

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A woman whose home in the 300 block of Harwell Avenue suffered flood damage came home to a different mess Thursday night when she discovered someone burglarized her apartment.

The victim called LaGrange police shortly after 10 p.m. and told them she had not been in the apartment since 1:30 p.m. Monday because her home flooded and the landlord was fixing the floors.

She said when she returned on Thursday, she noticed a 60-inch Emerson flat-screen TV, a DVD player, Xbox 360 and a PlayStation 4 were taken from the living room. Another 60-inch Emerson flat-screen TV was taken from her bedroom and a 32-inch Vizio flat-screen TV, iPad Mini, iPad Air and a HP Laptop were taken from her daughter’s bedroom.

The estimated value of all items was more than $4,300.

Husband arrested for battery

A woman called LaGrange police after her husband showed up drunk to a restaurant they both owned about 11:30 p.m. Thursday and allegedly hit her, and he destroyed items inside the business, according to a report.

When officers arrived to the restaurant on Lafayette Parkway, they said there were broken bowls, flower pots and candy dishes on the floor.

The woman told police she and her husband were in an argument when he began picking up items and throwing them against the wall. She stated he then grabbed both sides of her face at the same time and began to shake her head back and forth.

According to the officer, the husband admitted to breaking the dishes and grabbing his wife.

He was arrested for battery under the Family Violence Act.

Home invasion unfounded

A mutual aid call for Troup County sheriff’s deputies and LaGrange police for a possible home invasion at a residence in the 100 block of Genes Place on Thursday just after 11 a.m. turned out to be a false alarm.

Law enforcement officers responded to the house after the homeowner called 911 claiming someone was inside his residence, which is in the unincorporated county near the city limit.

The man then escaped from the home.

Deputies, officers and investigators quickly armed themselves and swarmed the house clearing each room one by one, looking for any suspects.

Sheriff’s Chief Investigator Capt. Mike Caldwell said no one was found inside the home, there was no sign of forced entry and the homeowner said nothing appeared to be taken from the residence.

Sgt. Stewart Smith, public information officer with the Troup County Sheriff’s Office, said any time they receive an emergency call they treat it as such until they receive an all-clear sign.

All information in this report is gathered from official law enforcement and public safety reports and releases. It is the policy of the Daily News to list the names of people charged with felonies.

Melanie Ruberti is a reporter with LaGrange Daily News. She may be reached at 706-884-7311, ext. 2156.