Dalton Police Blog

Investigators Arrest Suspect in Kidnapping/Robbery Case

Dalton Police Department Investigators have identified, arrested, and charged Edward Matthew Rife for the kidnapping and robbery of a Dalton woman that occurred around noon on May 15th in Dalton.

Police located the suspect around 6:00 p.m. on May 14th, the day of the incident, at a undisclosed location in the City.  The suspect was arrested and transported to Whitfield County Sheriff's Office's detention facility.

Booking photo of the suspect, Edward Matthew Rife 

Preparing for Emergencies

With spring and summer, come the seasons when we can expect sometimes violent weather in the form of thunderstorms, and storms associated with hurricanes. Although we live far from the coast, it is not unlikely that heavy rain and damaging winds can reach north Georgia. The result from all of the calamities usually involves the possibility of some short-term flooding and power outages from fallen trees.

In addition to weather dangers, we as citizens must still be vigilant to any other foreign or domestic threats from terrorism. As we have seen recently, these violent acts may not always originate from overseas. Although there are no significant political or infrastructure targets in our area, it will benefit us all to be aware of our surroundings, and also to follow the advice of some government agencies that when you "see something, say something." A good example of this can be seen in the recent arrest of six person in New Jersey who were planning to attack US soldiers at nearby Fort Dix, NJ. Part of their plot was discovered when a store clerk saw something suspicious and reported it to authorities.

Be Prepared

No matter the situation, we do not and should not wait around for an emergency to happen. We should all prepare in a way that best suits our situation. There are some excellent sources to check to be sure you are ready. One site is http://www.ready.gov/. This site includes information for businesses, individuals, and even kids. Don't wait for disaster to think about what you would do. Plan now!

Dalton Police Search for Suspect in Armed Robbery/Kidnapping Case

The Dalton Police Department is searching for the suspect wanted in connection with the Kidnapping and Armed Robbery of a Dalton woman.  The incident occurred around 12:30 p.m. Monday May 14th.  The suspect is described as a:

• White/Male, approximately 35-45 years of age
• 5'5" - 6'0" tall, with salt & pepper hair and weathered face
• Wearing a ball cap with "Tide" on the side and the number "10" and "Ricky Rudd" also displayed on the cap
• Wearing black jeans with a hole in the right inside leg and a Red/Grey football style shirt
• A faded tattoo on his left arm

The suspect approached the victim in the parking lot of Bryman's Plaza South around Office Depot and Bryman's Plaza Cleaners located at 101 W. Walnut Avenue in Dalton.  He approached the victim from behind, brandished a knife, demanded her money and threatened to kill her.  He then forced her into her vehicle and drove away.  He drove to the victim's bank and forced the victim to withdraw money from her account.

The victim was released a short time later at an undisclosed location.  The suspect faces charges including but not limited to Robbery and Kidnapping.  Images of the suspect were caught on bank surveillance cameras and displayed below.

Anyone with information about this crime or the identity of the suspect is asked to contact Detective Chuck Richards at 706-278-9085 extension 214 or if wishing to remain anonymous, can contact the police department's CRIME TIP HOTLINE at 706-278-9085 extension 221.

Suspect seen here driving victim's vehicle.  Anyone that can identify this individual is asked to contact the Dalton Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division (CID) at 706-278-9085

15th Annual Citizens Police Academy To Graduate

The Dalton Police Department recently completed its 15th annual Citizens Police Academy this past Tuesday night.  The 18 participants will graduate on May 15th at the North West Georgia Trade Center.  The participants were given an inside look into the police department with information about crime scene processing, firearms, and use of force.  The graduates were also given an opportunity to ride with an officer for an entire shift.  The next Academy will be in the Spring of 2008.  For information about the Citizens Police Academy, you can contact Sergeant Mike Dyer at 706-278-9085 extension 109 or by email at mdyer@cityofdalton-ga.gov.

 

Public Safety and Accurate Addressing

When you call 911, do you assume that police, fire, and ambulance (public safety) personnel can find you? Of course your telephone number, and maybe even your address, will show up on the 911 dispatcher's screen. The physical address, however, of your home or business may not match up with the addressing sequence of your street, or with the Master Street Address Guide (MSAG). In that case, public safety officers may lose precious seconds or minutes getting the help you need.

An effort is currently under way to examine the current level of accuracy of addressing in Whitfield County. The county's Information Technology and GIS departments are making recommendations to the Whitfield County Board of Commissioners to fund just such a study. This study will recommend several options that are available to correct the problem areas. Exactly what solutions will be identified, and their associated costs, is unknown at this time. We do not believe, however, that a cost can be placed on the value of getting help to citizens in Whitfield County.

In addition to improving the accuracy of emergency services delivery, this project will improve the accuracy of the Dalton and Whitfield County Reverse 911 emergency notification system. The city and county governments implemented this system using a commercially available map. With varying degrees of accuracy, this map determines, based on a cross reference with the telephone database, where your home or business is located on a given street. With the improvement of addressing, and a credible local map, the Reverse 911 system will operate much more efficiently and accurately.

The county Board of Commissioners are scheduled to review proposals for the initial study on Monday, May 14 at their regular meeting.

National Police Week

National Police Week 2007 will span Sunday, May 13th through Saturday, May 19th.  May 15th is National Peace Officers' Memorial Day.  Flying a blue ribbon on your vehicle antenna will show your support for all or our law enforcement professionals.

Dalton Police Department Issues Six Additional Rifles

Six Dalton police officers recently attended the 2-day Basic Patrol Rifle class by the Dalton Police Department at the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office range.  Four members of the Sheriff's Office also attended the training.

The class is a requirement for issuance of the AR-15 patrol rifle currently being issued to select members of the department.  Officers train with the rifle during the class and must pass the department's 30 round qualification before being allowed to carry the rifle.

Officer Chris Zimmerman with the Dalton Police Department Firing one of the department's AR-15 patrol rifles during the qualification course

Officer Jason Thompson shooting from the prone position during the rifle training

America's Veterans to be Honored

The American Legion will do a 21 gun salute at the Ridgewood Manner Nursing Home to honor America's Veterans on May 14th.  The event will start at 9:00 a.m.

Police Searching for Suspect of Stolen Vehicle

Investigators with the Dalton Police Department are looking for an individual wanted in connection with a stolen vehicle.  The suspect is described as a male, possibly black, in his late teens/early 20's with braided dark hair.  The suspect was wearing baggy jeans, dark shirt, and red baseball cap turned backwards.  The suspect was caught on video surveillance cameras getting into the stolen vehicle at approximately 6:26 p.m. on April 7th, 2007 in the parking lot of La Michoacana located at the intersection of MLK Jr. Blvd and Easterling Street.

The stolen vehicle was a 2000 Blue and Gold two tone GMC Yukon.  The vehicle was recovered several days later on West 55th Street in Chattanooga, TN.  The vehicles wheels, tires, stereo and DVD system had been removed.

Anyone with information about this crime or the identity of the suspect is asked to contact Detective John Helton at (706) 278-9085 extension 143.

Suspect caught on video surveillance prior to taking vehicle

Public Forum on Illegal Drugs Thursday May 3rd

A public forum discussing Illegal drugs will be held Thursday May 3rd at Dalton's City Hall from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.  This is open to all members of the community and concerned citizens are encouraged to attend to gain answers to their questions regarding identifying Illegal drug use by others and Illegal drug activity in their neighborhoods.

The forum will include a short presentation by officers followed by a question and answer session by police personnel.