Clarke County

Police: Burglary ring stole $2.1 million worth of property

A burglary ring that police say was responsible for about 200 burglaries and $2.1 million of stolen property has been charged by police in Gwinnett County. The Gwinnett County Police Department Burglary Unit indicted 12 people with a total of 66 felony counts after a two year long investigation. Gwinnett County has had a series of burglaries which have targeted victims of Asian descent dating back to 2019. The suspects force entry to the residence, enter the home and proceed to take valuable such as money, jewelry, and identification documents. During the course of the investigation the suspects were linked to burglaries in…

Athens police kill armed carjacking suspect

A 38-year-old carjacking suspect was shot and killed by police Sunday morning in Athens. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, preliminary information indicates that at about 10:40 a.m., Athens-Clarke County police officers responded to multiple 911 calls about a man with a gun at Walker Park. Responding officers were told that a man, later identified as Juan Joseph Daniele Castellano, of Athens, had allegedly carjacked a person at gunpoint inside Walker Park. Officers located the stolen vehicle. Officers say Castellano got out of the vehicle with a long gun and began shouting demands at officers. Officers gave numerous commands…

GBI: Athens man shot to death during road rage incident

On Saturday, May 1, 2021, at 1:00 a.m., the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Athens was requested by the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office to assist with a death investigation. Barrow County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call of a potential road rage incident. The incident was located on the westbound side of GA Highway 316 near its intersection with Jackson Trail Road. Upon their arrival, they discovered two men had been shot. Ketravian Tyvon Cole, 20, of Athens, was pronounced dead on the scene from apparent gunshot wounds. Another Athens man was injured by gunfire and taken to a…

UGA employee charged with child molestation

ATHENS -- A maintenance worker at the University of Georgia has been arrested and charged with two counts of child molestation. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested 26-year-old Obadiah Lindsey, of Monroe, on two counts of child molestation Monday. According to the GBI, information was discovered during a separate investigation that indicated Lindsey had been having sexual contact with a juvenile in Athens-Clarke County. GBI agents say they learned that Lindsey was employed with the grounds and facilities department at the University of Georgia as a maintenance worker. The UGA Police Department assisted with locating and arresting Lindsey without incident.…

Police chase with stolen vehicle turns deadly in Athens

ATHENS -- A 37-year-old man is dead after a police chase Thursday morning ended in gunshots. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, preliminary information indicates that at about 9:17 a.m., Athens-Clarke County Police officers attempted to stop a vehicle believed to be stolen out of Jackson County. Officers followed the vehicle until the driver, identified as Timothy Daniel Statham drove into a ditch in the area of Newton Bridge Road and Fritz Mar Lane in Athens. Police say Statham exited the vehicle and fled on foot into the nearby wooded area. There were no other occupants in the vehicle.…

GoFundMe page set up for 12-year-old boy who lost his family in a fire

The Athens-Clarke County community is rallying around 12-year-old Taeden Johnson, who lost his family in a fatal house fire last week. Fire crews were dispatched to the fire on Spring Valley Road after a neighbor had called 911 and said the home next to his was on fire. Crews arrived on the scene and found the home fully-involved with fire. As crews were working to get the fire under control, they received reports from a neighbor that Taeden had escaped from the fire and said there were other family members inside the home. Taeden sustained some burns to his shoulder…

Missing 12-year-old Athens boy found

Police in Athens say they have found a 12-year-old boy who went missing Monday evening. Police and Fire units were searching for 12-year-old Justin Porter, in the area of Big Oak Circle in southeast Athens. Residents of Athens-Clarke County were notified of Justin's disappearance at about 9 p.m. Monday. The child was found at about 11:38 p.m.

Athens police search for missing 12-year-old boy

Update: According to police, Justin Porter has been found. The original story is below. Police and Fire units are searching for 12-year-old Justin Porter, who is described as a black male, in the area of Big Oak Circle in southeast Athens. According to officials, Justin was last seen wearing a black hat, all dark blue clothing, and red tennis shoes. If you have seen Justin or know his location, please notify the Athens-Clarke Co Police Department by dialing 9-1-1.

Missing 2-year-old and 5-year-old found, police still searching for suspect

UPDATE: According to the Athens-Clarke County Police Dept., the two missing children have been found. Police are still searching for the suspect and the vehicle. The original story is below. ATHENS -- The Athens-Clarke County Police Department is asking for the public's help finding two missing children. The children are a 2-year-old and a 5-year-old believed to be traveling in a 2018 black Nissan Sentra with Ga. tag RKV2856. The 2-year-old is a black male last seen in a red jacket and gray sweatpants. The 5-year-old is a black male last seen in all green camouflage . If you see…

News Blog: Athens-Clarke County settles mask lawsuit

The Mayor and Commission held a Special Called Session on Friday, August 14 at 8:15 a.m. to approve a settlement with plaintiffs related to the recent mask ordinance requirement for public and commercial spaces and an ordinance changing the hours of alcohol sales and closing times for retail by the drink licensees. With the support of Western Judicial Circuit Superior Court Chief Judge Eric Norris, the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov) and plaintiffs negotiated this settlement. The Athens-Clarke County mask ordinance requiring masks in public places and commercial establishments will remain in place in full force as adopted on August 4, 2020. …

Athens-Clarke County police to say goodbye to chief probation officer

ATHENS -- Law enforcement officers will say their final goodbyes to Clarke County's Chief Probation Officer Dale Allen who died Tuesday. A memorial procession of law enforcement vehicles is scheduled today at 1:30 p.m. Born in Eatonton, Dale served his country in the U.S. Army as a Military Police Officer. He later served his local community as an Investigator and Deputy Sheriff and, most recently, as Chief Probation Officer for Athens-Clarke County for the last decade. Allen was honored many times with awards for his criminal justice reform efforts. Friends and those who knew Allen or were touched by his…

NEWS BLOG: Athens-Clarke County Courthouse closed after deputy tests positive for COVID019

Western Judicial Circuit Superior Court Chief Judge Eric Norris has issued an order declaring a judicial emergency and the immediate closure of the Athens-Clarke County Courthouse until Monday, July 20 at 8:00 a.m. The closure is due to a Sheriff’s Deputy working regularly in the Athens-Clarke County Courthouse who has tested positive for COVID-19. In response, ACCGov staff will coordinate a thorough cleaning of the courthouse.