Dalton Police Blog

DPD Releases New Images of Parking Lot Groping Suspect

UPDATE: An arrest has been made in connection with this case, thanks in part to a tip from the public

After another incident reported to police on Tuesday morning, the Dalton Police Department is releasing new images of the suspect in a series of parking lot groping incidents that occurred in and around Dalton.

Tuesday morning’s incident occurred at approximately 9:30 AM Tuesday morning at the Wal-Mart at 2545 East Walnut Avenue.  After walking around in the store, the suspect left the store and walked across the parking lot towards a woman who was walking in the parking lot.  He asked her if he could ask her a question.  When she stopped and said yes, he asked her if he gave her $100 would she show him her breasts.  The woman told investigators that she ran away, and remembering news coverage of the previous groping incidents, she contacted the Dalton Police Department.  The suspect is described as being in his early 20’s, between 5’7 and 5’9.  In this morning’s incident he was wearing khaki pants and a navy blue polo-type shirt. The suspect’s hair is shaggy and hangs down almost into his eyes. After reviewing surveillance video from the store, investigators believe it is the same suspect from the previous incidents.  The suspect was recorded driving away in a burgundy or maroon colored SUV.

The first reported incident occurred on July 18th at the TJ Maxx store in the Walnut Avenue Kroger shopping center.  The suspect approached a woman who was leaving the store and asked if he could ask her a question.  When she stopped, he pulled down her top and exposed her breasts before running away.  Later that week, on July 22nd, the suspect approached two women leaving the Belk’s department store at Walnut Square Mall. Again, he asked one of the women to stop so he could ask her a question.  When she stopped, he grabbed her breast and ran away across the parking lot. 

Images from the store’s surveillance system of the suspect and his vehicle are included with this release.  Anyone with information on these incidents or the identity of this suspect is asked to contact Detective Greg Bates with the Dalton Police Department at 706-278-9085, extension 137.

Below: Surveillance images from the Tuesday morning incident.  The suspect is the male in the navy blue shirt and khaki pants.  His vehicle is the maroon or burgundy colored SUV pulling out of a space on the left-hand side of the parking lot photo (click images to see a larger version).

  

Tickets On Sale for Scholarship Dinner

Tickets are still on sale for the Scholarship Fundraiser Benefit Dinner that will be held next Monday night, August 16th at the Dalton Depot Restaurant.  The benefit is being hosted by the Dalton Police Department and Dalton Fire Department to raise money for the City of Dalton Public Safety Scholarship Endowment at Dalton State College. 

Tickets for the event cost $10 each, and can be purchased at the Police Services Center at 301 Jones Street or from any Dalton Police Officer for Firefighter.  Tickets can also be purchased the day of the event at the Depot.  The dinner, which runs from 5:00-9:00 PM, will feature a steak dinner with scalloped potatoes and a Greek salad.  Curbside take-away will be available, or guests are welcome to dine in at the Depot.

This is the third year that the city’s Fire Department and Police Department have hosted this event. 

The City of Dalton Public Safety Scholarship is part of the Dalton State College Foundation’s scholarship program, an annual offering of scholarship awards recognizing academic achievement and financial need for students at Dalton State College.  The scholarship will benefit dependents of Dalton Police or Fire employees, or the dependents of retired DPD and DFD employees.  A six-member committee (three each from the Fire Department and the Police Department) determined the selection criteria for the scholarship.  The scholarship is managed by the DSC Foundation, which makes all decisions regarding selection of the scholarship recipient. The Dalton State College Foundation awards more than $150,000 in scholarships every year.  

A Night in the Life of Third Shift

When you go to bed tonight, you likely won't be thinking of the police officers who are patrolling the streets in an effort to keep your family safe.  But as your night's ending, the day's just beginning for third shift officers from the Dalton Police Department.

Every six months, officers rotate between the three duty shifts in the patrol division.  Third shift starts every night at 10:15 and runs until 7:15 in the morning.  It may not sound like a fun assignment, given that officers work all night and sleep during the day.  But several officers say that they prefer the night shift because of the type of work that they get to do.  In short, a lot of the action happens at night. 

If you want to get a taste of what life's like on the night shift, click "Play" in the video below and come along for the ride.

DPD Announces 2nd Annual "Toy Run for Kids"

It’s too hot for long sleeves, but the Dalton Police Department is already in a winter frame of mind.  The department will host the 2nd Annual “Toy Run for Kids” escorted motorcycle ride on Saturday, September 25th at Mountain Creek Harley Davidson at 1001 Market Street.  The goal of the motorcycle run is to raise money and toys to give to less fortunate families in Dalton and Whitfield County at Christmas time.  The fee for participation is a new boxed toy for either a boy or a girl up to 14 years of age (please, no stuffed animals), or $15.00.

Registration for the event will begin at 10:00 AM, with the motorcycle ride starting at 11:00 AM.  There will be a festival-type atmosphere at the Harley Davidson store site, with live entertainment, food for sale by Outback Steakhouse, raffles, and much more. 

Last year, the Dalton Police Department Toy Run attracted more than 70 riders and raised more than $800 and hundreds of toys which were distributed at a holiday party to families selected by the Dalton Public School System.

For more information on the event, or to make a monetary donation for the Toy Run, please contact Sergeant Pat Meyer at 706-278-9085, extension 400.  All donations are tax-deductible.

To read an article and see pictures from last year's event, click here.

Thanks for Coming!

The 2010 National Night Out Public Safety Fair at the North Georgia Fair Grounds was a success, with organizers estimating nearly 500 people came through the gates to spend time with employees from public safety agencies from across Whitfield County. 

The Dalton Police Department thanks everyone who came out to support the event, and sends a special thank you to Outback Steakhouse for providing free hot dogs to visitors for the third straight year. 

To watch video from this year's event, click "Play" in the window below (video may take a few moments to load).

Helicopters Added to National Night Out Lineup

Helicopters from LifeForce and the Georgia State Patrol have been added to the list of attractions for the National Night Out Public Safety Fair which will be held Tuesday night in Dalton.  Visitors will be able to take an up-close look at the helicopters and meet members of the crews who fly them, as well as meet officers and firefighters from all of the public safety agencies in the Whitfield County area.  The National Night Out event will run from 6 PM – 9 PM at the North Georgia Fair Grounds at 500 Legion Drive.

This is the third year that the event will be held at the Fair Grounds, and last year featured a large turnout.  This year, the event will feature free hot dogs furnished by Outback Steakhouse, inflatable playgrounds, and lots of free goodies for kids.  There will also be plenty of crime prevention, traffic safety, and fire safety information available for your family's information.  There will also be free home fingerprint kits for children and also free gun locks. 

This is also a great opportunity to meet some of the law enforcement, fire, and emergency services personnel who serve your community.  Officers from the Dalton Police Department, Whitfield County Sheriff's Office, firefighters from the Dalton Fire Department, Whitfield County Fire Department, and personnel from Whitfield County Emergency Services and EMS will all be on hand to meet and greet members of the community.  All the agencies will also have police cars and fire trucks for kids to look at up close.  Representatives from Safe Kids Dalton and the North Georgia Safety Training Division and the Red Cross will be there with information on car seat safety.

Car Seat Saves a Life in Dalton Accident

A  two year old female escaped serious injuries this week after the vehicle that she was riding in was involved in a rollover crash on South Thornton Ave north of Conway Street.  Investigators at the scene determined that she escaped unharmed because she was properly restrained in a Child Restraint System.  The crash occurred at 8:04 AM when the child’s mother swerved to avoid hitting another vehicle that had stopped in front of her.  The family's SUV left the roadway and overturned in a five foot ditch.

Everyday across Georgia, children in serious car accidents escape serious injury because they are properly restrained in approved Child Restraint Systems.  This proves that Georgia’s occupant safety laws do save lives. 

The Dalton Police Department reminds all parents that children under the age of 6 must be properly restrained in a Child Restraint System when traveling in a vehicle on the roadways of Georgia.  The department also reminds the public if they have any questions about proper Child Restraint System use or installation they can come by the Dalton Police Department Service Center at 301 Jones Street, or call the Traffic Enforcement Unit at 706-278-9085, ext 124.

Below: pictures from the accident, including a shot of the Child Restraint System (click images for a larger version)

 

Mark Your Calendar: August 3rd is National Night Out 2010

The Dalton Police Department is putting the finishing touches on plans for National Night Out 2010 which will take place Tuesday night, August 3rd at the North Georgia Fair Grounds at 500 Legion Drive.  The event will take place from 6 PM - 9 PM, and will feature plenty of fun for the whole family.

This is the third year that the event will be held at the Fair Grounds, and last year featured a large turnout.  This year, the event will feature free hot dogs from Outback Steakhouse, inflatable playgrounds, and lots of free goodies for kids.  There will also be plenty of crime prevention, traffic safety, and fire safety information available for your family's information.  There will also be free home fingerprint kits for children and also free gun locks. 

This is also a great opportunity to meet some of the law enforcement, fire, and emergency services personnel who serve your community.  Officers from the Dalton Police Department, Whitfield County Sheriff's Office, firefighters from the Dalton Fire Department, Whitfield County Fire Department, and personnel from Whitfield County Emergency Services and EMS will all be on hand to meet and greet members of the community.  All the agencies will also have police cars and fire trucks for kids to look at up close.  Life Force will also be on hand with a Med Evac helicopter.  Representatives from Safe Kids Dalton and the North Georgia Safety Training Division will be there with information on car seat safety.  The Red Cross will also attend with important safety information.

So make your plans to join us on August 3rd at the Fair Grounds for plenty of food, fun, and information!

DPD Seeks Information on Parking Lot Groping Suspect

UPDATE: An arrest has been made in connection with these cases, thanks in part to a tip from the public.

Twice in the past week, a young white male has groped women in the parking lots of area stores before fleeing on foot.  The Dalton Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect from surveillance video.

The first incident happened on Sunday evening, July 18th,  at approximately 6:40 outside of the TJ Maxx store in the Walnut Avenue Kroger shopping center.  The female victim was shopping in the TJ Maxx while waiting for her food order from a neighboring restaurant.  When she left the store talking on her cell phone, the suspect followed her out of the store and down the sidewalk.  He called out to her to ask if he could ask her a question.  When she stopped to say yes, he lunged forward and pulled down her top.  When the victim screamed he ran away across the parking lot.  When officers arrived, they canvassed the neighboring stores and parking lot, but were not able to find the suspect.  He was described as a young male, possibly between 18-22 years of age with shaggy brown hair and an average build, standing between 5’6 and 5’9.  He was wearing a blue shirt with a team name on the front in white lettering, most likely from a local baseball or softball team.  The shirt had the number “5” on the back, also in white.  He was also wearing dark sweatpants or athletic pants.  The victim was able to identify him on surveillance video from the entrance to TJ Maxx.

The second incident occurred at Walnut Square Mall at the Belk’s department store on Thursday evening, July 22nd.  At approximately 3:30, two females left the store together walking to their car.  The suspect was recorded leaving the store following them approximately 15 seconds later.  After following the women to their car, he asked them if he could stop and ask them a question.  When the victim stopped and turned to face him, he reached out and grabbed her on the breast, and then ran away.    Responding officers searched the mall and the parking lot area, but were not able to find the suspect.  This time he was wearing a pair of khaki pants and a light blue Hollister t-shirt with the word “Hollister” printed vertically down the side.

Still frame photos of the suspect are included below and you can view a video clip from the TJ Maxx surveillance cameras by clicking this link: Download Long-tj maxx-Trim of front door 1.

Below: Images of the suspect from the TJ Maxx surveillance cameras (click images for a larger version).

  

FBC Kids Camp Visits DPD

The Kids Camp group from First Baptist Church took a short trip across Jones Street to visit their neighbors at the Dalton Police Department on Thursday morning. 

After getting a tour of the Police Services Center from Sergeant Alan Woods, the group lined up in the Training Room for a presentation from Crime Scene Investigator Mack Flood.  Detective Flood showed the kids some of the tools he uses to do his job, and also showed them how to process fingerprints.  The kids even got a chance to process a few fingerprints of their own. 

Sergeant Woods also demonstrated the use of the Taser, as well as pointing out all of the other tools on his duty belt.

The group's visit to the Police Services Center concluded with a tour of the department's Crime Scene Unit vehicle and an up-close look at a patrol car.  The DPD thanks the FBC Kids Camp for visiting!

Below: Sergeant Woods and Detective Flood show the Kids Camp kids how to process fingerprints and show off the Crime Scene Unit and a patrol car (click images for a larger version).