Gang suspects face gun, drug charges

Published 12:00 am Monday, February 15, 2016

Public Safety Reports

By Melanie Ruberti

mruberti@civitasmedia.com

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Four men who police said have gang ties were arrested just after midnight Saturday during a traffic stop at Brown and Smoot streets.

According to a police report, all the men inside the car were known members or associates of the Bloods criminal street gang.

Investigators arrested Quadarious Maurice Smith Jr., 23, on a charge of obstruction and an active warrant for battery. While officers were searching Smith, they located bags in each of his boots containing a total 30.5 grams of suspected marijuana.

Police said Smith also had close to $300 on him.

Officers searched the car and said they found a set of digital scales in the front passenger seat and a revolver and semi-automatic pistol inside the glove box.

Gabriel Chase Combest, 23, Cedric Bernard Dukes Jr., 24, and Jorgio Jaikieth Lewis, 18, were also arrested at the scene.

LaGrange police said charges range from obstruction of an officer and failure to use safety belts, which are misdemeanors, to felonies of possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Robbery

One man was behind bars this morning after he allegedly stole his wife’s phone then robbed her just after 4:30 p.m. Friday outside a building at 1550 Doctors Drive.

The victim told police she and her estranged husband were arguing over money when he snatched a cellphone out of her hand and would not return it. The victim told police her husband made her give him money in order to get the phone back.

He left the scene before officers arrived. Police captured him early Saturday morning at a home on Callaway Avenue.

According to LPD investigators, he was charged with robbery by sudden snatching under the Family Violence Act.

Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact the LaGrange Police Department at 706-883-2603 or Troup County Crime Stoppers at 706-812-1000.

Business damaged

LaGrange police responded to a motion alarm at the Valero gas station at 101 Hoffman Drive about 6:15 a.m. Saturday and discovered a rear window was shattered.

According to the report, the owner arrived and also found the cash register thrown to the ground with change and cash scattered on the floor.

The owner told police $100 was stolen from the register and it would cost $500 to fix the window.

Police are investigating.

Shoplifting

Employees of Hibbitt Sports at 137 Commerce Ave. told police about 1 p.m. Friday a man came in to try on shoes, but then left unnoticed. An employee then discovered the box for a pair of shoes the man had tried on were missing. The shoes were described as 9 ½ size Air Jordans, multicolored blue and black, valued at $190.

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.