Police Blotter
Man is arrested after barricading self in home
A Martinez man was arrested Monday morning after he injured his wife and barricaded himself inside his bedroom, police say.
Columbia County sheriff's deputies arrested James Jasper Butler, 37, of the 200 block of New Petersburg Drive, and charged him with two counts of kidnapping, aggravated battery and cruelty to children, possession of a knife during the commisison of a crime, and fleeing or attempting to elude police, according to records at the Columbia County Detention Center.
Butler is being held without bond, sheriff's Capt. Steve Morris said.
Deputies went to Butler's home at about 7:30 a.m. after receiving reports of a scream from inside.
Butler's wife, Barbara Butler, 40, did not show up for work Monday morning, so co-workers went to the apartment and spoke with Butler, who told them everything was OK and that his wife was asleep, Morris said.
However, the co-workers heard a scream from inside the apartment and called police, Morris said.
Butler fled in his vehicle and was pursued by police, but he returned to the apartment, grabbed a knife and barricaded himself in his bedroom, Morris said. He was taken into custody after brief negotiations.
Barbara Butler was found unconscious on the floor of the apartment with minor head injuries and was taken to Medical College of Georgia Hospital, Morris said.
She was released Monday afternoon, a hospital spokeswoman said.
The Butlers' 14-year-old daughter was present during the incident but wasn't injured.
The following accounts were taken from reports filed with the Columbia County Sheriff's Office:
Wallet, ring are taken at retirement community
A hairstylist at the Brandon Wilde retirement community on Owens Road in Evans told deputies her wallet was taken from her purse Jan. 10.
The woman said her purse was unsecured and out of her sight between 5 and 5:30 p.m., but she did not notice the wallet was missing until an hour later.
The wallet contained a 3-carat diamond and platinum ring valued at $12,000, and $70 in cash.
The wallet was recovered Wednesday above the ceiling tiles in a men's bathroom.
Car is missing from Martinez used car lot
The general manager of a Martinez used car lot told deputies Monday that a car he suspects was stolen has been missing for several days.
The manager of the Toyota of Augusta Pre-Owned Superstore on Washington Road at Bobby Jones Express-way told deputies an inventory of the lot showed the car, a silver 2005 Chevrolet Malibu, on Jan. 4 but not on Jan. 6.
The manager said the vehicle is valued at $15,000.
Utility vehicles are stolen from dealer
The owner of an Evans equipment company told deputies Jan. 10 that two utility vehicles were taken from the business.
The vehicles were locked behind a gate at Transportation Solutions on Commerce Court in Evans.
The two vehicles, a red Club Car Carryall 4x4 valued at $10,850 and a green Club Car Turf utility vehicle valued at $7,752, were taken between Jan. 6 and Jan. 9.
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