Police reports
The following accounts were taken from reports filed with the Columbia County Sheriff's office.
Foot chase arrests
Two men were arrested on several charges, including theft by receiving stolen property, on Oct. 20 after fleeing from police during a routine traffic stop.
The men - Demico Antonio Parks and Torrance Valenta Smith - were passengers in a silver Oldsmobile, which was stopped on Washington Road in Martinez after the driver reportedly made an improper lane change, reports showed. The driver also fled, but only the two passengers were captured.
Following an investigation, it was learned that the Oldsmobile had been reported stolen in Richmond County. A semi-automatic handgun also was found in the front passenger's seat. Police said the weapon belonged to Parks - who was found to be a convicted felon.
Alternator arrest
An 18-year-old Thomson man was arrested Oct. 22 after police allegedly witnessed the man trying to steal an alternator from an Evans car lot.
According to reports, John M. Riexinger III of the 3600 block of White Oak Road was apprehended following a foot chase when police witnessed the incident at Q-Cars on Washington Road.
Police said a deputy traveling on Washington Road at about 10:30 p.m. noticed Riexinger working on the engine of a Nissan 200 SX that belonged to Q-Cars. Following the chase, investigators found a set of tools on Riexinger and later discovered another Nissan 200SX owned by Riexinger parked nearby at Tudor's Cleaners, reports showed.
House vandalized
An under-construction Evans home was vandalized with a spray foam material on Oct. 22, according to department records.
The home, located at the 600 block of Deerwood Way and owned by Wendell P. Richardson, was found with foam sprayed into its electrical outlets and on its windows, reports stated. The area has now been placed on a concentrated patrol by the police.
Fire calls
Martinez Fire Department activity report for Oct. 14-20:
Woods fire, one; grass fires, two; vehicle fire, one; natural gas leak, one; fire alarms, nine; medical calls, 27; rescue calls, six; investigations, nine; public service, two.