Police reports

The following accounts were taken from reports filed with the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.

Unsuccessful burglary

A Martinez man reported an elaborate but unsuccessful attempt to enter his home March 2.

Larry Atkins, of the 3100 block of Bobcat Court, told police the trespasser used several tools in vain to gain entry to his residence while he was away.

The person cut a power cord off a garden pump to tie the fence gate closed. The would-be burglar also cut the telephone line, tried to pry open a door and a window and moved two ladders but never gained entry.

Shot fired at business

A businessman reported March 2 that someone drove by his business and fired a shot which hit the window of a nearby firm, according to a Columbia County Sheriff's Office report.

Jefferey Sarsted told police that a man and two other people were asked to leave Cherokee Tattoos, of the 3800 block of Washington Road, Martinez, about 11 p.m.

However, the trio drove by the business a short time later, and one of them pointed an object out a window of the vehicle, the report says. An object then struck a nearby window, causing a small hole and cracks.

The car was last seen traveling west on Washington Road.

Woman scares away thief

A Harlem woman frightened away someone who tried to remove an air-conditioner from her home March 1.

Alease Woods, of the 900 block of Appling-Harlem Highway, Harlem, told police that she was awakened about 3:55 a.m. by loud banging on the outside of her home and a display case falling over inside the home.

Mrs. Woods said she yelled, asking who was outside. But she received no response. She then yelled that she had a gun and then saw someone running away.