Dalton Police Blog

DPD Arrests Pair in Theft of Purse, Credit Cards

The Dalton Police Department arrested Brandon Joseph Lively, 26, and Anna Marie Lively, 29, on charges related to the theft of a purse Tuesday afternoon from the Shugart Road Wal-Mart and the subsequent fraudulent use of stolen credit cards.  Both arrestees live at 698 Neely Road.  Both were charged with one count of each of theft by taking, identity fraud, and financial transaction card fraud.

The incident happened at approximately 5:30 pm Tuesday.  As the victim shopped in the children’s shoes section, she turned to her shopping cart and found that her purse was missing.  The victim contacted police, and Dalton officers reviewed surveillance video of the incident with the store’s loss prevention associates.  The video showed that as the victim shopped, a white male wearing a black leather jacket and ball cap walked down the aisle with a little girl.  Shortly after, a female later identified as Anna Lively walked up the aisle pushing a shopping cart with a baby carrier.  As she passed the victim’s shopping cart, she reached over and took her purse, walking away with the purse under her left arm and her own purse hanging from her right arm.  Then the male suspect is seen pushing the shopping cart with the baby carrier and the little girl.  The video showed them both walking out of the store quickly and leaving together in a silver Saturn passenger car.

After having the victim cancel all of her bank and credit cards, officers gave a lookout notice for the suspects’ vehicle.  Later, the victim was notified that her cards had been used at stores in Walnut Square Mall, including a purchase of more than $1,000 in Joker’s Audio.  The victim contacted the 911 dispatch center.  Officers responded to the mall, and the first officer on scene spotted a man matching the suspect’s description trying to fit a larger speaker box into the back of the silver Saturn in the Sears parking lot.  Brandon Lively was stopped by the officer while another officer went inside and found Anna Lively inside, trying to make another purchase.  Officers took both suspects into custody and recovered the victim’s wallet.  Two children with the suspects were sent home with a relative.

 

Thanks for Coming!

Despite threatening skies, several dozen residents came out to meet local first responders at the Dalton Police Department's annual Community Night Out on Monday evening at the North Georgia Fair Grounds. They were greeted by officers from the DPD, Varnell Police Department, Tunnel Hill Police Department, Georgia State Patrol and Whitfield County Sheriff's Office as well as firefighters from the Dalton Fire Department, Whitfield County 911 staff and EMS personnel.

High winds forced officials to take down the inflatable slide and inflatable playground for kids, but children still got a chance to see police cars, police bikes, the DPD Crime Scene Unit and other police equipment up close.  Tunnel Hill Officer Scott Reneau brought his department's K9 officer Vince to meet visitors, and several kids were able to overcome a little nervousness to pet him.  Rain did finally come to the Fair Grounds around 6:30 pm, forcing organizers to pack up early.

The DPD thanks everyone who came out to attend the event.  Stay tuned to the DPD Blog and Twitter feed (twitter.com/DaltonPD) for plans for future Community Night Out events!

Below: Images from Monday night's Community Night Out event (click images to see a larger version).

DPD Seeks Information in Theater Burglary

The Dalton Police Department is asking for information from the public about a burglary at the Carmike Cinemas movie theater at 875 Walnut Square Boulevard early on Tuesday morning, November 29^th. 

The incident happened shortly after 4:00 am when an employee on site to clean the theater reported hearing banging sounds coming from the back of the theater building near the office.  She called another employee who was headed for the theater and when he arrived, they went to investigate.  They found holes knocked in the wall behind the concessions area.  They heard more banging coming from the area of the office, and when they unlocked the office they found holes in the sheet rock wall and dust in the air.  Then they went into the adjoining theater where they found the carpet on the wall peeled back and holes knocked in the wall.  Then they called 911. 

Responding officers searched the theater building and found it empty.  Officers found pry marks on one of the theater’s exit doors where someone apparently used a tool to pry the doors open and enter the theater.  Theater management reported that nothing appeared to be missing from the office, so the employees may have scared off the burglars when they started turning on lights. 

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to please contact Detective Ricky Long with the Dalton Police Department at 706-278-9085, extension 168.

 

Community Night Out Is Still On!

With fingers crossed about the weather, the Dalton Police Department is still planning to go ahead with the Community Night Out Public Safety Fair tonight from 5:30 until 8:00 at the North Georgia Fair Grounds on Legion Drive.  

For more information, click here.

Rain is in the forecast for later Monday evening, and if the rain comes, the event will be cancelled and rescheduled. However, the weather is clear at this point and officials are hoping the weather will hold. Check back to the DPD Blog or the department's Twitter page (twitter.com/DaltonPD) for updates.

DFD Wraps Up Smoke Diver Training

The Dalton Fire Department once again played host to the Georgia Smoke Diver Association in November, holding the 44th Georgia Smoke Divers Class at the department's training facility at Station #2 on Abutment Road.  

The DFD has hosted the elite training course for the past two years as the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth, GA rebuilt its burn building.  The 44th class is likely the last one to train in Dalton for a while, though, as the class is set to return to Forsyth next year.  However, the DFD hopes to bring the Georgia Smoke Divers back to town soon.

For a look at the class, click "Play" in the video window below.

There's Still Time to Donate Toys!

The Salvation Army's "Sharing Is Caring" toy drive for families in need in the Dalton and Whitfield County area is continuing until December 13th.  The Dalton Police Department is participating, and donations of toys or money for the purchase of toys can be dropped off at the Police Services Center at 301 Jones Street.

Last month, the Dalton Police Department sponsored a Poker Run motorcycle ride which raised money for the toy drive.

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” at 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.