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Dalton Police detectives need the public's help identifying a female theft suspect. The suspect pictured below stole a woman's pocket book at Providence Ministries on January 7th. She was last seen driving a white SUV with running boards and a luggage rack. If you have any information to help identify this suspect, please call Detective Matthew Locke at 706-278-9085 extension 320.
Theft suspect at Providence Ministries
The Dalton Police Department would like to remind motorists of Georgia's Move Over Law. Under Georgia traffic law 40-6-16, motorists that are approaching an emergency vehicle on the shoulder of the road must 1) make a lane change into a lane not next to the emergency vehicle when more than one lane is present and can be done safely, or 2) must slow down and pass the emergency vehicle at a speed below the posted speed limit.
The Move Over Law was put into place to protect the lives of police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, tow truck operators and road maintenance workers. 2007 was the tenth consecutive year that traffic-related incidents equaled or exceeded guns as the leading cause of death for police officers across the nation.
Officers with the Dalton Police Department continue to see a large number of vehicles not obeying the Move Over Law. The department would like to advise motorists that Georgia law allows a fine of up to $500 for anyone found guilty of violating the Move Over Law.
The Dalton Police Department would also like to remind all motorists to obey all posted speed limits and to buckle up to prevent serious injury accidents.
The Dalton Police Department's Drug Enforcement Unit is looking for Gail Michelle Bramblett in relation to a drug case. When detectives recently tried to take Bramblett into custody, she fled in her vehicle and nearly struck a plain clothed detective. Bramblett is also wanted by the Whitfield County Sheriff's Department and other agencies. She is believed to be in the Dalton or Cleveland, Tennessee area. Her last known address was in Cohutta. If you have any information on Bramblett's whereabouts, please contact Detective Daniel Nicholson at 706-278-9085 extension 159.
Gail "Michelle" Bramblett
The Dalton Police Department needs the public's help finding a suspect wanted by numerous agencies in north Georgia. We have multiple warrants on Shane Corley for shoplifting and theft cases. The Whitfield County Sheriff's Department has several warrants on Corley and he is also wanted in Murray County. If you have any information on Corley's whereabouts, please call Detective Matthew Locke at 706-278-9085 extension 320.
Shane Corley
Students at Christian Heritage School spent some time learning about the Dalton Police Department. The six and seven-year olds were given the chance to ask questions and were educated about the duties of a police officer. The students also got a chance to look inside a Dalton Police Department patrol car and were reminded to always buckle up.
Officer Chris McDonald answers questions from a group of students
Students waiting in line to look inside a patrol car
Officer McDonald with Mrs. Hein's class
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for our area. This advisory will be in effect from 6pm Wednesday evening until 6am Thursday morning. A Winter Weather Advisory means that periods of snow, sleet, and freezing rain are expected. However, accumulations are expected to be light.
With the possibility of inclement weather, the Dalton Police Department would like to offer motorists some safe driving tips. Statistics show that more crashes occur during winter months, so please remember to drive with caution. Here are some things you can do to stay safe:
The Dalton Police Department would also like to remind all motorists to obey posted speed limits and to buckle up to prevent serious injury accidents.
The deadline to apply for the Citizens Police Academy is less than a month away. The 16th academy will begin February 26th and the last day to apply is February 10th. The academy gives participants the opportunity to learn about all the different parts of the Dalton Police Department and how each division works. Public Safety Commissioner Bill Weaver says, "The Citizens Police Academy was one of the most enlightening activities of my life. I was really impressed with how much the Dalton Police Department does, and how thorough and professional the department is."
Each participant in the academy gets the chance to ride along with a patrol officer on his or her shift. Participants also get the chance to see and use some of the equipment used by officers on a daily basis, including firearms. The classes will be held at the Police Services Center at 301 Jones Street. Anyone interested in attending the academy can pick up an application at the Police Department, apply online by clicking here or call Sergeant Mike Dyer at 706-278-9085 extension 109 to have an application mailed to you. Don't forget, all applications must be received by February 10th.
Thanks to tips from concerned citizens, Dalton Police Department detectives were able to positively identify the persons responsible for the recent arson at K-Mart on Walnut Avenue. Zachary Frady of Dalton was arrested Friday and charged with arson. An arrest warrant has been issued for Natasha Clayton of Tunnel Hill and a female juvenile was also identified.
Zachary Frady
Natasha Clayton
Dalton Police detectives need the publics help identifying three persons of interest in a recent arson. On Sunday January 6th, a pallet of paper towels was set on fire at K-Mart on Walnut Avenue. Investigators now want to speak with the persons of interest shown below. Two white females and a white male with red hair. Anyone with information about these persons of interest should call Detective Nathan Lee at 706-278-9085 extension 140.
Dalton Police detectives need the publics help identifying a shoplifting suspect. On December 31, 2007 the woman pictured below entered a fitting room at Sears located in Walnut Square Mall. The suspect carried several items of clothing into the fitting room and proceeded to leave with a black jacket and ladies shirt she did not pay for. A Sears loss prevention employee followed the suspect outside and asked her to stop. The female suspect entered a waiting car parked near the curb. The car is described as a beige Toyota Camry driven by an unknown person. The suspect is described as a black female with blonde hair. She was wearing a tan long sleeve shirt and blue jeans. If you have any information about this suspect please call Detective John Helton at 706-278-9085 extension 143.
Shoplifting suspect shown on store surveillance video
Recent statistics show overall crime in Dalton was down in 2007 from 2006. Part I offenses went down from 1,625 to 1,520. These offenses include homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, theft and arson. Part II offenses were down to 6,736 in 2007 from 7,651 in 2006. These offenses include forgery, fraud, vandalism, drug crimes, liquor violations and DUIs. Arrests and traffic crashes were also down in 2007.
Here is a look at the year-end crime statistics. These numbers measure from January 1st through December 31st of each year.
Part I Offenses |
2007 |
2006 |
Homicide |
4 |
2 |
Rape |
9 |
8 |
Robbery |
30 |
34 |
Aggravated Assault |
104 |
109 |
Burglary |
232 |
216 |
Larceny - Theft |
1077 |
1120 |
Motor Vehicle Theft |
58 |
125 |
Arson |
6 |
11 |
Part II Offenses |
2007 |
2006 |
Other Assaults |
572 |
618 |
Forgery/Counterfeiting |
264 |
286 |
Fraud |
293 |
226 |
Embezzlement |
30 |
43 |
Stolen Property |
3 |
21 |
Vandalism |
601 |
713 |
Weapons Violations |
46 |
77 |
Commercial Sex |
21 |
35 |
Other Sex Offenses |
115 |
92 |
Drug Sales |
51 |
59 |
Drug Possession |
374 |
466 |
Gambling |
1 |
0 |
Offenses Against Family/Children |
83 |
105 |
Liquor Violations |
290 |
311 |
Drunkenness |
238 |
222 |
Other Disorderly Conduct |
654 |
719 |
Curfew Violations |
63 |
87 |
All Other Offenses |
2521 |
2984 |
DUI |
516 |
587 |
Part I and II Total |
8256 |
9276 |
Dalton Police need the publics help identifying a burglary suspect. Over the holidays, the suspect shown below burglarized the jewelry department at Belk department store at Walnut Square Mall. The suspect got away with a substantial amount of jewelry. He was wearing dark clothing, a blue bandanna over his face, a dark toboggan, tan work boots and gloves. A $500 dollar reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of the suspect. Anyone with information can contact Detective Nathan Lee at 706-278-9085 extension 140.
Suspect show entering the department store
Suspect shown leaving the department store
On Monday January 7th, the intersection of Shugart Road and Highway 41 will be shutdown temporarily for a wiring project. No specific time has been given, but the intersection will be closed for around 30 minutes sometime between 9:30 am and 10:30 am. Motorists planning to use this intersection between those times should plan to use alternate routes.
Dalton Police detective Nathan Lee spoke to the Dalton Civitan Club this week about the dangers of identity theft. As we begin a new year, now is a great time to secure and protect your identity.
As identity thieves continue to prey upon innocent victims, they also continue to find new ways to steal your money. However, there are some steps you can take to avoid being a victim.
1. Check your credit report - Knowing your credit history is the number one way to protect your identity. Checking your credit report periodically allows you to see if an identify thief has opened a new credit card account with a fake address and phone number.
2. Don't give out your SSN - Only give out your Social Security number when it is required. Just because a form has a space for your SSN doesn't mean you have to fill it in.
3. Protect your computer - Always use a secure wireless connection, use an encrypted service, update your virus protection regularly, install an adequate firewall, and assume that any Email that asks for your personal information is fraud.
4. Keep track of your billing cycles - Be sure to call if don't receive a regular credit bill in the mail. Chances are, an identity thief has changed your address.
5. Closely examine your financial statements - Go over your credit card statements to make sure you made the purchases listed.
6. Guard your mail from theft - Make a practice of picking up your mail as soon as possible after it is delivered. Consider investing in a locked mailbox or play it extra safe with a post office box.
7. Invest in a shredder - Get into the habit of shredding all documents before throwing them in the garbage.
8. Practice safe online shopping - Shop only from secure sites that will encrypt your order information and credit card number.
9. Avoid sketchy ATMs - Be skeptical of portable machines you see in convenience stores and hotel lobbies, especially if they have a cord protruding from the back that's not plugged in.
10. Be suspicious of unexpected calls or letters - Be wary of when a business calls or Emails you and asks for personal information. Make it a policy not to get personal unless you're the one who initiated the contact.
11. Put real passwords on your accounts - Create one password that you can use in multiple applications that no one else well know. A strong password is a random eight-character combination of numbers, letters and symbols.
12. Keep your credit card close to you - When you're out spending money, watch how salespeople and waiters handle your cards and make sure they don't have a chance to copy them.
13. Use safe checks and use them sparingly - Always get your checks from your bank. These checks are far more likely to contain fraud protection features like a watermark, thermochromatic ink, chemically reactive paper, and light-sensitive ink and fibers.
14. Secure your home - Find a non-obvious location in your home where you can store your Social Security card, passport and all records that contain personal information.
15. Carry only what you need - Leave your Social Security card at home in a secure place. Carry only credit cards you plan to use.
16. Spring clean your credit cards - Cancel credit cards you don't use regularly. The more cards you have, the more opportunities a thief has to steal from you.
17. Opt out - Get your name off of marketing lists that get sold and resold.
18. Read privacy policies - They are essential for understanding what your bank, financial institutes and other businesses that you deal with do with you information.
19. Protect a deceased relative - When someone dies, contact the credit bureaus and have the "deceased" alert put on the person's reports. Inform Social Security of the death yourself, with a copy of the death certificate.
20. Place fraud alerts on your credit reports - Putting a fraud alert tag on your credit report will limit a thief's ability to open accounts in your name.
Detective Nathan Lee giving tips to protect your identity
Members of the Civitan Club learning about idenitity theft
With the onset of winter and the possibility of inclement weather, the Dalton Police Department would like to offer motorists some safe driving tips. Statistics show that more crashes occur during winter months, so please remember to drive with caution. Here are some things you can do to stay safe:
The Dalton Police Department would also like to remind all motorists to obey posted speed limits and to buckle up to prevent serious injury accidents.
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