A 31-year-old man is facing charges after deputies say he assaulted a woman at an Augusta Dollar Genearal Sunday afternoon, then tried to run when law enforcement arrived.
What’s Happening: Deputies with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Dollar General at 4506 Windsor Springs Road at around 4:30 p.m. Sunday after a woman reported that a man rubbed his genitals against her through his clothing, according to the sheriff’s office.
Tyrone Bernard Gaynor Jr. was still inside when deputies arrived but fled out the front door. Corporal Eric Varner caught him after a brief foot chase. He’s been charged with sexual battery and obstruction of an officer, both misdemeanors.
Why It Matters: Gaynor has been arrested twice before this year, and investigators are now looking into whether he’s connected to other incidents.
Between the Lines: This isn’t Gaynor’s first run-in with law enforcement this year, according to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office. He was arrested in March for stalking at Diamond Lakes Park, just down the road from Sunday’s incident, and sentenced to probation. He was arrested again in September for violating that probation and contempt of court related to child support, then released after serving time.
What’s Next: Detectives are reviewing other reports to see if Gaynor may be linked to additional cases. Sheriff Eugene Brantley is asking anyone who has information or who may have encountered Gaynor to contact Sergeant Terry Gore at 706-821-1020.
“Behavior that targets and harms others in our community will never be tolerated in Richmond County,” Brantley said. “Our deputies will continue to act quickly to protect victims, hold offenders accountable and pursue every lead so that patterns of predatory conduct are identified and stopped. If you have information, please come forward. Your courage helps us keep our neighborhoods safe.”
The Sources: Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Eugene Brantley.
⚠️ Reminder: Crime articles contain only charges and information from police reports and law enforcement statements. Suspects and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
