Police blotter
Missing man's body is found near playground
The body of a 25-year-old Martinez man who had been reported missing was found Wednesday behind an Augusta playground.
Richmond County Chief Deputy Coroner Mark Bowen identified the body as Paul Gruebel, of Bakers Ferry Road.
An autopsy was to be performed Thursday at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Atlanta crime lab, Bowen said.
The nude body was discovered in a wooded area behind a playground at A Child's World day-care center in the 2400 block of Wrightsboro Road, next to the Veterans Affairs Uptown Division hospital.
Gruebel was reported missing from an Augusta home in the 2400 block of McDowell Street on Friday.
Columbia County sheriff's Capt. Steve Morris said that the last time Gruebel was seen, he was reported as being under the influence of drugs and not fully clothed.
Denise Beausoleil, of Martinez, pleaded guilty to animal neglect charges.
Photo by Andrew Davis Tucker
Woman gets probation, must pay restitution
A Martinez woman cited on animal neglect involving 92 cats that were seized from her home Feb. 10 was sentenced Wednesday to six months' probation and to restitution pay.
Denise Beausoleil, who lives in the Springlakes subdivision, represented herself and pleaded guilty to animal neglect at the hearing. Columbia County Chief Magistrate Judge J. Wade Padgett sentenced her to the six months probation, during which she may not own a cat, and to pay $6,241.65 restitution to Columbia County Animal Care and Control for boarding fees and staff overtime to care for the cats.
After Beausoleil's sentencing, many of the cats became available for adoption through Animal Care and Control, leading to a record number of adoptions Thursday and Friday. Those deemed not adoptable by Manager Linda Fulmer will be euthanized, Judge Padgett said.
Fulmer said a few blood tests were performed and 70 of the cats were cleared by a veterinarian as adoptable and healthy, while 22 others were being held for observation for illnesses. Fulmer said some cats, though healthy, might need grooming, including shaving to get rid of hair mats.
The following accounts were taken from reports filed with the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.
Theft by shoplifting
A Martinez man was arrested Tuesday after police say he stole three packs of cigars from a grocery store.
Oscar Constantine Wallace, 77, of the 100 block of South Belair Road, was arrested on a shoplifting misdemeanor charge after police say he tried to steal three packs of cigars, placing them in his coat pocket at the Food Lion on South Belair Road.
Wallace told authorities he had intended to pay for the cigars, but could not explain why he placed them in his coat pocket instead of his shopping cart, the report states. Wallace was taken to the Columbia County Detention Center on Wednesday, where he was released later that day on a $1,100 bond. The total estimated value of the cigars is $7.47.
Giving a false name
A Blythe man was arrested Tuesday after police say he gave a false name to authorities.
Letrader Ahhvaylle Harris, 39, of the 1000 block of Tree Haven Road, was arrested on charges of having an expired tag, no proof of insurance, suspended license and giving a false name to authorities after being pulled over for a traffic stop on Bobby Jones Expressway in Columbia County. Harris, who police say has four other aliases, told authorities his first name was Letrader and his last name was Ahhvaylle, saying he had no middle name, the report states.
Harris was taken to the Columbia County Detention Center on Tuesday where he was being held on a $4,400 bond and a hold for authorities.
Criminal trespass
A Martinez man reported a case of criminal trespass to Columbia County police on Monday after finding a dead squirrel in his driveway.
The man, who lives in the 300 block of Candlestick Way, said he was on his way to work when he noticed the dead squirrel with a balloon attached to it.
The incident reportedly occurred between 11:50 p.m. Feb. 13 and 8 a.m. Monday.