Sheriff’s deputies and Bainbridge Public Safety officers arrested two local men in two unrelated illegal drug cases.

On the night of Wednesday, Jan. 6, Sheriff’s deputies went to 182 Beaver Circle in Brinson to serve an outstanding felony warrant on David Bradley German.

German ran from deputies while carrying a large, clear plastic container in his hands. Deputies gave chase and could hear something crashing into the ground in the woods behind the residence.

Inside the garage, deputies noted a strong smell of ammonia and found several cold packs, boxes of pills containing pseudoephedrine and lithium batteries, all common ingredients used to make methamphetamines, or meth. Outside the home’s garage and in nearby woods, deputies found two large plastic bottles—one containing suspected meth residue and another containing liquid believed to be part of an active meth “cook.”

German, 43, was arrested and charged with possession of firearms by a convicted felon, tampering with evidence (felony), possession of marijuana (misdemeanor), unlawful possession of pseudoephedrine, possession of meth with intent to distribute and manufacturing meth. German is a convicted felon, according to the Georgia Department of Corrections.

Earlier on Wednesday, BPS investigators—aided by Sheriff’s investigators—followed up on a tip that several men were sitting around a burn barrel at 1308 4th St. in West Bainbridge, possibly selling illegal drugs.

As investigators approached, a man identified as Anthony Jarod Florence, 32, 123 Spring Creek Road, Bainbridge, picked up a greenish-brown package from off the ground and threw the package into the fire. Investigators put out the fire and recovered a large quantity of suspected marijuana.

Florence was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and tampering with evidence.

Assaults reported

Two people have had to undergo surgery after being the victims of recent assaults.

A 31-year-old Bainbridge man reported he was assaulted and robbed while he stood outside Sims Street Apartments at about 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 2. The victim stated an unknown black male began punching him in the face, knocking him to the ground. The assailant also took money belonging to the victim.

BPS officers responded and found the victim bleeding heavily from his face. A woman who said she was the victim’s sister said the victim, who took himself to Memorial Hospital in Bainbridge, suffered a broken jaw and swelling in his face from the assault. The woman said Thursday that family members are taking care of her brother, who is at home recovering from an operation at Archbold Medical Center in Thomasville to wire his jaw shut, to help it heal.

A 23-year-old Bainbridge man had to have reconstructive surgery to his nose and mouth, and also had to have his jaw wired shut, after he was assaulted just before 6 p.m. on Dec. 30. The victim’s girlfriend stated to police that they had been visiting a residence at 1017 Water St. when three black males walked up to the victim and one of them punched him. Three other males then joined in the fight, striking the victim’s face, knocking him to the ground and repeatedly kicking him while he was on the ground.

According to BPS, Investigator Anthony Stubbs arrested Roscoe Walker IV, 29, of 419 E. Georgia St., Bainbridge, on Jan. 6 and charged him with aggravated battery in connection with the Water Street assault. Stubbs is also investigating the Sims St. assault.

Anyone who can provide additional information about who committed the assaults can contact Stubbs by calling 248-2038.

Suspected arsons investigated

BPS is investigating two suspected acts of arson that occurred this week but are not believed to be related.

At about 12:15 a.m. on Jan. 2, BPS officers responded to a fire at a residence at 1405 Bethel Road. They had the fire under control by 12:43, but it was later determined that there were four separate origin points for the start of the fire. The homeowner was away at work when the fire broke out.

The other possible arson happened at 303 W. Green St. shortly after 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 5. The fire was determined to have been started from outside the house, then spread up a wall and into the attic, where it filled the house with smoke.

Billy Ray Samuel, also known as “Tank,” age 46, of 305 Green St., Bainbridge, was arrested and charged with first degree arson of a residence in connection with the Green Street fire.

Samuel is a convicted felon who was arrested by local police on three separate occasions in 2009, according to the Georgia Department of Corrections and previous arrest records.

More drink machine thefts

Three additional businesses have reported thefts of property either from inside or outside of their building, the latest in a string of similar thefts.

On Jan. 3, the owner of Murphy’s Home and Garden, 616 Albany Road, reported someone had thrown a rock through the business’ glass entry door, shattering it. A small amount of money was taken from the business’ cash register. On Dec. 28, Murphy’s reported someone breaking into the business’ garden and taking sodas and money from a drink machine.

Also on Jan. 3, an employee of the Family Dollar Store at 303 S. Scott St. reported that someone had attempted to break into the store’s drink machine. A metal piece had been broken off the machine but no entry had been made.

Also on Jan. 3, BPS officers discovered that the drink machine at the Splish Splash Car Wash, located on Boulevard Drive, had been broken into and the money inside had been stolen. Officers noted that the door of the vending machine had been pried open and observed a large foot print on the machine.

Three other Bainbridge businesses reported drink machine break-ins between Dec. 28-30.