Madison Police Department
    • On December 5 a larceny complaint was filed at an Eatonton Highway liquor store after a clerk at the store reported that two black males entered the store to purchase alcohol and one of the men allegedly came behind the counter and took the clerk’s cell phone.
    Officers reviewed store security tape and observed one of the men reaching behind the counter, removing the phone and placing it in his pocket.
    The two men left the store driving a white van with a green stripe and a drive-out tag.
    • On December 1 a fraud complaint was filed at a Commerce Street location after a woman reported that someone had used her debit card without her permission at several locations, including a convenience store and a wireless phone store. More than $280 was taken from the woman’s account, reports state.
    • On December 6 a damage to property complaint was filed at a Harris Avenue location after a woman reported that someone had kicked in the front door of a house she owned. The house is currently vacant. Estimated damage is $100.
    • On December 6 Antonio Demon Benford, 31, Madison, was arrested and charged with battery and cruelty towards child after he allegedly shoved a woman’s head against a wall repeatedly in front of a seven-year-old child. Reports state that a child called police to report that his mother was bleeding. When officers arrived the woman told police that she had thrown a shoe at Benford during an argument.
    She denied knowledge of bleeding. However, an officer noticed that the woman had washed her hair and combed it over a gash. The officer also found evidence that the woman had removed a bloody sweater.
    • On December 3 a suspicious phone call complaint was filed at a Green Meadows Court location after a woman reported that someone called her and reported that they were with Farm Bureau.
    The caller then told the woman that he needed to update their files regarding her insurance. The woman said she told the man her name, driver’s license number and date of birth. She then called Farm Bureau who told her that no one from the office had called her for the information.
    • On December 3 Kevin D. Smith, 22, Madison, was arrested and charged with speeding and possession of marijuana after an officer running radar on South Main Street allegedly observed Smith traveling 55 mph in a 35 mph zone. Following the stop, reports state, an officer allegedly noticed the smell of burnt marijuana coming from Smith’s Dodge Dakota. A consequent search of the vehicle found a small amount of suspected marijuana on the floor of the vehicle.

Morgan County Sheriff’s Office
    • On December 6 a theft by taking complaint was filed at a Flat Rock Road location after a man reported that someone had entered his property and removed a 2006 Murray push lawn mower. The mower is described as a red lawn mower with a 5.5 horse power motor. It was located under the deck of the complainant’s home and is valued at $120.
    • On December 5 an identity fraud complaint was filed at a Shadow Lake Drive, Buckhead, location after a man reported that someone wrote nine checks on his checking account for a total of $4,710.17 without the complainant’s knowledge.
    • On December 4 a recovered stolen property report was filed at a Perryman Road, Buckhead, location after a man reported that a woman at a local convenience store had given him a truck that had been left at the store several weeks. According to reports, the man said he towed the truck to his house and called the sheriff’s office for an inspection so he could register the vehicle.
    When deputies inspected the truck, they determined that the truck had been reported stolen from Albany, Ga. The truck, a 1986 Nissan D21, was towed and impounded.
    • On December 4 a burglary complaint was filed at a Seven Islands Road, Buckhead, convenience store after a woman reported that someone had kicked out the glass back door of the store. After deputies secured the store, the clerk reported that several items, including guns and cigarettes, had been removed from the store. Officers reviewed a security tape and observed two males pull up to the store in a Ford F-150 extended cab truck, exit the vehicle while putting on gloves and masks and then one of the males kicked out the back glass and entered the store.
    • On December 4 a burglary complaint was filed at a Walton Mill Road location after a man reported that someone took a 14 inch Poulan chainsaw, a 18 volt DeWalt impact driver, a 15 gallon, three horsepower Craftsman air compressor, a female’s purse and an undetermined amount of cash from his house. The man’s brother said he had arrived at the house and found the victim’s niece’s boyfriend, her father and the niece at the location .
    The boyfriend and father were near a shed were the tools were kept and the niece was walking out of a bedroom with the purse.
    • On December 3 a unruly child complaint was filed at a Jackson Street location after a woman reported that her 11-year-old son had left the house after an argument.
    Officers located the child riding a bike in the Green Meadows area.
    • On December 2 a fleeing or attempting to elude police officer complaint was filed at a Poplar Street location after a deputy reported attempting to stop a silver Honda for speeding. During the attempt, reports state, the deputy chased the vehicle on East Washington Street, Maple Street, East Jefferson Street, Vine Street and eventually to Green Meadows Drive. The Honda pulled in behind houses on Green Meadows Drive and two men leapt from the vehicle while it was still rolling in the back yard of a residence.
    The men fled and the vehicle eventually struck a house. Both suspects escaped on foot.
    The deputy located a bag of suspected marijuana and pills believed to be Ecstasy in the vehicle.
    • December 2 James Randy Bell, 21, Madison, was arrested and charged with simple assault and disorderly conduct after he allegedly drank vodka and then attacked a woman. Deputies found Bell, reports state, asleep on a couch. When a deputy woke Bell allegedly cursed at the officer and had to be restrained.
    • On December 2 an arson complaint was filed at a Fairplay Road, Rutledge, location after a woman reported that she suspects a man known to her had attempted to burn her vehicle. A deputy arrived at a smoldering car on Fairplay Road.
    A gas canister was located in the vehicle and a man was extinguishing the fire. The man and the female complainant said they had received a restraining order against a man who had allegedly made threats against the family.
    The man extinguishing the fire said a man had recently made threats against his grandchildren based on his daughter allegedly ending a relationship with the man.
    Deputies directed Oconee County authorities to attempt to make contact with the man at his Oconee County residence but Oconee County authorities reported that the man was not at the listed residence.