Investigators tracking down TCSO scam artist

Published 6:15 am Wednesday, April 12, 2017

By Melanie Ruberti

Melanie.ruberti@lagrangenews.com

Public Safety Reports

Someone posing as a member of the Troup County Sheriff’s Office is attempting to swindle residents out of their hard earned cash.

The scam artist reportedly calls people and identifies himself as TCSO Chief Deputy Jon Whitney, officials stated. The names of other employees with the Sheriff’s Office have also been used.

The caller states they are with the citation division and demand people make a payment over the phone, according to TCSO officials.

The number that shows up on caller I.D. is 706-804-4688. When officials called the number, a voicemail answered identifying the number as the Troup County Sheriff’s Office.

The phone calls and voice message are a scam, said TCSO investigators.

The Sheriff’s Office wants to remind folks they will never call people and attempt to collect fines over the phone.

Anyone with information about the scam or believes they are a victim of it can contact the Troup County Sheriff’s Office at 706-883-1616.

 

Teen hurt in accident

A 13-year-old youth is in stable condition at an Atlanta hospital following a bike accident.

The teen reportedly rode the bike into traffic at the intersection of Colquitt and McGregor streets around 4:30 p.m. on Monday.

The youth struck the passenger side of a moving car, investigators stated.

The teen was flown to an Atlanta hospital for treatment.

There is no word on the type of injuries the youth received from the crash.

Officers with LPD’s Traffic Unit are still investigating the accident.

 

Man attempts to fight LPD officers

One man was arrested when he led LaGrange police officers on a brief foot chase and lunged at them as he was being detained on the side of Lafayette Parkway early Monday morning.

The man, identified as Jimmie Leonel Alaniz, 31, was asked to leave the LaFayette Garden Inn at 29 Patillo Road for allegedly defecating in a hotel drawer, the report stated.

After Alaniz left, officers discovered a metal spoon and six baggies of a white, crystallized substance suspected of being methamphetamine, according to the report.

One of the LPD officers left the hotel room to find Alaniz. The man was spotted standing under an awning, the report read.

After refusing several commands, the officer attempted to place Alaniz in handcuffs. The man broke free and ran through the parking lots of the hotel and Race Trac convenience store – then across Lafayette Parkway, the report stated.

LPD officers quickly caught up to Alaniz. The man allegedly started lunging at police in an aggressive manner, refused to listen to their commands and tried to fight off officers as they attempted to handcuff him, according to the report.

While in the back of a patrol car, Alaniz began to bang his head against the window.

He was taken to the Troup County Jail and charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and obstruction – both felonies.

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. Reach the LaGrange Daily News at 706-884-7311.