Police Blotter
The following accounts were taken from reports filed with the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.
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Man is arrested after he tried to flee, police say
An Augusta man remained in jail Monday after trying to flee when police pulled him over on a drunken-driving charge early Saturday, authorities said.
Police arrested Michael Antonio Edwards, 20, of the 600 block of Albany Avenue and charged him with eluding a police officer, carrying a concealed weapon without a license, being a minor in possession of alcohol, driving under the influence and seven traffic charges, according to jail records.
Columbia County sheriff's deputies tried to pull over the Jeep Cherokee just before 2:30 a.m. Saturday because it crossed the center line on Columbia Road several times.
Edwards, who had a passenger with him, continued driving onto Moorehead Drive and Shallowford Drive while weaving across the road, the report stated.
When Edwards stopped the car at Shallowford and Dresden drives, he and his passenger ran from the vehicle. Edwards was caught in the 100 block of Dresden Drive and resisted arrest by breaking a metal chair at the residence, the report stated. His passenger was not found.
Deputies searching the vehicle found a loaded .380-caliber semiautomatic pistol near the driver's seat and a small amount of what appeared to be crack cocaine in the change holder, the report stated.
Edwards was being held Monday on $11,600 bond and is being held on a Richmond County warrant for not appearing for traffic charges, according to jail personnel.
Evans woman charged with disorderly conduct
An Evans woman was arrested Saturday on charges of being drunk and refusing to put down her gun.
Cindy Joy Alaimo, 50, of the 400 block of Flowing Creek Drive, was charged with disorderly conduct.
Police say they responded to Alaimo's home at about 4 p.m. because she said she was having problems with her friend and wanted him to leave. Police escorted the man outside and told him not to return.
When police returned inside, Alaimo was approaching the door with a revolver in her hand. After several commands from deputies, she put the gun on the floor.
After detecting a strong smell of alcohol on Alaimo, and because of what they said was her unpredictable and unstable behavior, deputies called an ambulance for evaluation. Alaimo refused medical attention and a breath-alcohol test. She was then arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.
She was released from the Columbia County Detention Center on Sunday after posting a $275 bond.
Resident says two men tried to burglarize car
An Appling woman told police Thursday that she came face to face with one of two men trying to break into or steal her vehicle.
The woman said a neighbor called her at about 1 a.m. to say someone was walking through the woods near her home. When the woman stepped onto the porch, she encountered a man she didn't know, she said. He then fled into the woods.
The woman said she saw a second man standing on the running board of her Chevrolet van. He also fled into the woods. A police dog didn't find either man. The woman said nothing was missing or damaged.
Martinez-Columbia Fire and Rescue Activity Report for the week of July 16-22:
Structure fires, five; woods fire, one; grass fires, two; vehicle fires, two; unauthorized burns, three; fire alarms, 12; carbon monoxide, one; medical calls, nine; rescue calls, 10; investigations, four; public service, two; other, four.