Dalton Police Blog

DPD Seeks Suspect in Vehicle Break In

The Dalton Police Department is asking for the public’s help with identifying a suspect who used stolen credit cards taken from a car break-in to make hundreds of dollars’ worth of purchases.  The suspect was recorded on surveillance video at a drug store in Ringgold making one of the fraudulent purchases, and his picture is included with this release.

The incident happened between noon and 3:00 on October 27^th at the Dalton Golf and Country Club.  The victim reported that his car was broken into and his wallet was stolen.  $200 cash and several credit cards were inside the wallet. One of the victim’s cards were then used at a BP gas station in the Atlanta area, and then one of the victim’s cards was used at a CVS Pharmacy in Ringgold to make a $214 purchase. 

Investigators were able to get a picture of a suspect using one of the stolen cards at the Ringgold location.  The suspect is a black male in his mid-20’s, standing approximately 5’10” tall and weighing between 160 and 170 pounds. The suspect was wearing an oversized white t-shirt and a black hat with an “A” logo and “Atlanta” written on it.  The suspect had close cropped dark hair and possibly also a mustache.  He left as a passenger in a red or maroon minivan driven by a black female. 

Anyone with information on this incident or the identity of the suspect in the pictures is asked to please contact Officer John Edwards at 706-278-9085, extension 152.  

Below: The suspect is pictured at the left in the first two pictures. The suspect's red minivan is shown in the last picture (click images to see a larger version)

Happy Halloween

Today is October 31st, and that means there will be a lot of Trick or Treaters on Dalton's sidewalks tonight. If you're driving tonight, please slow down and keep an eye open for children near the road.  

The Dalton Police Department has some tips to help families stay safe when Trick-or-Treating:

• Only Trick-or-Treat at homes with front porch lights on.
• Make sure that children, especially young children, don’t Trick-or-Treat alone.  Have a parent or trusted adult should always go along.
• Make sure that your child’s costume can easily be seen by passing drivers.  If it’s a dark-colored costume, use reflective tape to make sure that it shows up in a car’s headlights.
• When dropping off Trick-or-Treaters by car, make sure not to block traffic lanes.
• Keep in mind that masks can restrict your vision, so consider using make-up effects instead.  If wearing a mask, take it off when crossing the street.
• Always use sidewalks and cross the street only at crosswalks
• Have identification like home address and phone number inside a child’s costume, in case they become separated from their escort.
• Make sure children know their home phone number.
• Make sure to have a flash light if you’ll be out after dark.
• Don’t cut through yards or alleyways.
• Never go into a stranger’s house for treats.
• Make sure to check children’s treats before they eat them.

It’s also important for drivers to keep in mind that there will be more pedestrians near roads than normal on Halloween, especially in residential neighborhoods.  Slow down and stay alert. 

If you’re planning to attend a Halloween party where alcohol is involved, make sure to designate a driver or have the number of a cab company before you go.  Do not drink and drive. 

The Dalton Police Department hopes that keeping these tips in mind will help you have a safe and happy Halloween!

 

Traffic Unit to Talk DUI, Distracted Driving at High School

The Dalton Police Department’s Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) will be conducting its "Fatal Vision" course at Dalton High School in November in conjunction with the school’s Drivers Ed Program.   The program will take place over two days with students in classroom setting the first day.  On the second day, students will drive a golf cart wearing "Fatal Vision Goggles" or texting as they try to maneuver through a cone course.  The TEU will be at Dalton High on November 1st and 4th.

During the classroom portion of the program, officers from the TEU will speak to the students about the dangers of operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and the dangers of distracted driving.  The officers will also speak to the students about traffic laws pertaining to teenage drivers, including class CP and class D driving licenses.  On the second day, students will be given the option to drive the golf cart through a cone course wearing "Fatal Vision Goggles," which distort perception to simulate alcohol impairment, or while texting on a cell phone.  The golf cart exercise is used to illustrate how a driver’s ability to drive is impaired while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or how texting or distracted driving can lead to serious consequence. 

Approximately 5,000 teen drivers die each year on our roadways, making car crashes the leading killer of teens between the ages of 16 and 20. Crashes kill more teens each year than homicide, suicide and disease combined.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,16% of all drivers under the age of 20 involved in a fatality crash were reported to have been distracted while driving.

The Dalton Police Department will conduct its "Fatal Vision" class or cover how distracted driving affects our community at the request of any organization.  Any one interested in having the "Fatal Vision" class or having an officer speak to their group about distracted driving can contact Dalton Police Department’s Traffic Enforcement Unit at 706-278-9085, ext 124.

Below: TEU Officer Steve Zahn leads a participant through the cone course on the "Fatal Vision" golf cart (click image to see a larger version)

Rotary Club Honors DPD, DFD Employees

The Rotary Club of Dalton is honoring a Dalton Police Officer and Dalton Firefighter with their annual Public Safety Vocational Excellence Awards.  The Dalton Police Department's recipient is Detective Brandon Carter, and the Dalton Fire Department's recipient is Firefighter Robbie Townsend.  The awards were announced at Tuesday morning's meeting of the Dalton Public Safety Commission.

Detective Carter was recognized earlier this year with the DPD’s Sworn Employee of the Year award.  He has served the Dalton Police Department for eight years, and in that time he has been honored with nine previous commendations, including three Employee of the Month commendations.  Before being assigned as an investigator, Detective Carter was assigned as a School Resource Officer (SRO) at Dalton High School, and his contacts within the school helped him clear several cases.

Firefighter Townsend has served the Dalton Fire Department since March 2008, but his history with the department goes back to his time as an explorer scout with the DFD's Explorer Post 404 while he was a student at Southeast Whitfield High School.  Before joining the Dalton Fire Department, Townsend served the Gordon County Fire Department and the Marietta Fire Department and already had an extensive training background before joining the DFD, including certification in the prestigious FLAMES (Firefighters Laboring and Mastering Essential Skills) course.  His training has continued with the DFD, including earning certification as a Georgia Smoke Diver.  Townsend also serves as an instructor with the Dalton Fire Department's recruit school, serving as lead instructor of the physical training program.

Below (from left): Chief Bruce Satterfield, Firefighter Robbie Townsend, Detective Brandon Carter, Assistant Chief Truman Whitfield

Coming Up: Poker Run Motorcycle Ride for Kids

The Dalton Police Department and Mountain Creek Harley Davidson are hosting a “Poker Run” motorcycle ride on November 12^th to support the “Sharing Is Caring” Dalton/Whitfield County Community Christmas.  Proceeds from the motorcycle ride will go to purchase toys for families in need this holiday season.

Registration for the event will start at 9:00 am on November 12^th at Mountain Creek Harley Davidson on Market Street in Dalton.  The cost is $10 per hand, or $20 for three hands.  Riders will receive a different playing card at each stop along the motorcycle ride’s route, and then the top three hands when riders return will receive prizes.  After the ride, Mountain Creek Harley Davidson will host an event with live music with food and drinks for sale.

The “Sharing Is Caring” drive is a community based project designed to provide toys and gifts for families in need during the holiday season.  Families in the Dalton/Whitfield area were sent letters in August detailing the project with a schedule for community meetings covering various topics such as budgeting, education, and parenting.  Families were asked to attend at least three of those meetings, and then apply with the Salvation Army in November for an appointment to “shop” the “Sharing Is Caring” Christmas Store in mid-December at the North Georgia Fairgrounds which will be stocked with toys and other items purchased through this effort and other fundraisers.  While parents shop, an adjoining building will host a party for families with entertainment and refreshments.

The group is also accepting donations of toys and clothing and any “give away” items for the party including blankets, shampoo, toiletries, etc.  For more information, contact Sergeant Patrisha Meyer with the Dalton Police Department at 706-278-9085, extension 400.

 

DPD, DFD Investigation Leads to Arson Arrest

The Dalton Police Department arrested Cesar Fraire Carrillo, 22, Monday morning on charges of first degree arson, burglary, and cruelty to animals in connection to an October 11th fire at the apartment of his estranged wife.  Carrillo, of 317 Crown Street in Dalton, turned himself in on warrants for his arrest.

The Dalton Fire Department was called to apartment 18 at 1915 Heathcliff Drive shortly before 8:30 am on October 11th with a report of a fire in progress.  Firefighters responded and contained the fire, and Deputy Chief Gary Baggett attempted CPR on two dogs left inside, but they did not survive. After the fire was put out, fire investigators from the Dalton Fire Department determined that it was an arson fire that started in a bedroom closet.  Investigators determined that the fire started with the burning of some clothes hanging in the closet belonging to a friend of Carrillo’s estranged wife, Maria Gomez.  The DFD investigators contacted detectives from the Dalton Police Department who investigated further.  

Detectives found that while Carrillo did still have a key to the apartment, the door was actually left unlocked that morning for Gomez’s friend Roberto Garcia to return to the apartment.  When Garcia arrived, he found the door locked.  After using his key to get inside, he found the apartment full of smoke and he was unable to find the two dogs left inside.  Garcia then called 911.  Detectives determined that Carrillo entered the apartment after Gomez left for work that morning, setting fire to Garcia’s clothes before Garcia returned to the apartment after his work shift.  Detectives obtained warrants for Carrillo’s arrest, and Carrillo turned himself in Monday morning.

Peacock Alley Fire Not Intentionally Set

The Dalton Fire Department has determined that the October  9th fire at Peacock Alley in downtown Dalton was non-incendiary in nature and started in a space above the ceiling and below the roof near the right wall and towards the rear of the structure.  Investigators were unable to determine the exact cause of the fire, but the “non-incendiary” declaration means that the fire was not intentionally set.

Investigators from the Dalton Fire Department led a group of fire investigators and insurance adjustors through the structure for “the dig” on Friday.  The physical examination of the structure meant actually digging in to the remains of the building to fully examine the scene, which is known as “destructive investigation” because parts of the upper layers of debris have to be destroyed or removed in order to reach the material and evidence below.  Because evidence can be destroyed during the dig, representatives from all involved insurance companies or interested parties were brought together to participate in the investigation giving all involved parties a chance to view all evidence.  All investigators agreed upon the non-incendiary designation and where the fire originated.

Deputy Chief Gary Baggett and Captain Chris Cantrell led the investigation for the Dalton Fire Department. Also participating in the investigation were: Jerry Parish from the Georgia State Fire Marshall’s Office; Donald Bowling, Tony Echols, and Dan Horn from Phillips Lighting; Certified Fire Investigator John Paul from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms; Certified Fire Investigator Jerry Renfroe from G4S representing White Cotton Leather; Doug Carrow, an insurance adjustor for Peacock Alley Café; Certified Fire Investigator John Hill from Donan Engineering representing Frankenmuth Insurance; Electrical Engineer Jeff Mize from UIS; Attorney Myles Leveille from Drew, Eckl & Farnham representing Frankenmuth Insurance; Certified Fire Investigator Tom Rodgers from M&L Distribution for EFI Global; and Certified Fire Investigator Rob Cowan.  

 

DPD Makes Arrest After Tennessee Amber Alert

The Dalton Police Department arrested Allen Harness on Friday afternoon after receiving a telephone tip from a hotel that he was in the area.  Harness was the subject of an Amber Alert issued in Overton County Tennessee earlier on Friday after he kidnapped his step daughter and assaulted her mother.  The girl was recovered in Dalton.

At approximately 3:30 on Friday afternoon, 911 dispatchers were notified by a caller at the Motel 6 at 2200 Chattanooga Road that a man driving a vehicle matching the description of the truck mentioned in the Amber Alert was at the hotel.  The truck is a 2005 Ford F-350 King Cab truck with “Tennessee Central Concrete” on the side.  Officers and investigators from the Dalton Police Department responded and moved into the area of the hotel.  After speaking to Harness on the phone, he came out and surrendered peacefully to authorities. Harness is being transported to the Whitfield County Jail to await extradition back to Tennessee.

Road Closures Planned for Homecoming Parade

The Dalton Police Department will be closing some area streets on Friday afternoon to make way for the Dalton High School Homecoming Parade.  Road closures near the downtown area will start at 3:45 pm and all affected streets will be closed by 4:00 pm and remain closed until the parade ends at approximately 5:30 pm.  
The streets involved are:

• Waugh Street between Glenwood Avenue and Manly Street
• Thornton Avenue between Hawthorne Street and Cuyler Street
• Cuyler Street between Thornton Avenue and Pentz Street
• Pentz Street between Cuyler Street and Waugh Street

Traffic entering the affected area from side streets will be redirected by patrol officers.  

 

Reminder: DPD Looking for Distracted Drivers

The Dalton Police Department will begin patrols looking for distracted drivers on Thursday, October 20th.  For more information, click here.