Teen charged in Griffin murder apprehended in Clayton County

STAFF REPORT ::: Malik Yarbrough, the 16-year-old suspect charged with murder in the Tuesday shooting death of Robert D. Brown, has been apprehended in Clayton County. After conducting numerous interviews and executing search warrants in this case, Griffin Police Department (GPD) investigators identified Yarbrough as the suspect in Brown’s murder. After further investigation, they notified […]

Griffin man arrested on three counts of sexual exploitation of a child

STAFF REPORT ::: A Spalding County man has been arrested on multiple counts of sexual exploitation of children. The three felony charges are related to the alleged possession of child pornography. Patrick Finnegan, age 23, of Griffin, was on Wednesday, July 8, arrested by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes (CEACC) […]

Pike County man arrested on multiple charges of sexual exploitation of children

STAFF REPORT ::: A Pike County man has been arrested on multiple counts of sexual exploitation of children. The seven felony charges are related to the alleged possession of child pornography. Brent Stein, age 67, of Meansville, was on Wednesday arrested by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes (CEACC) Unit with […]

Tractor trailer wreck blocks downtown traffic; city manager predicts ongoing problems

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Downtown traffic came to a standstill at the intersection of Hill and Taylor streets Wednesday afternoon when a tractor trailer struck a brick planter that constructed as part of the city of Griffin Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) project. Griffin Police Department Chief Mike Yates said traffic was obstructed while waiting for […]

Man ejected, killed in wreck at Highway 155 and Teamon Road

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: One man was killed Tuesday afternoon in a wreck on Highway 155 in Spalding County. According to Sgt. Terry Thompson, of the Georgia State Patrol-Griffin Post, 22-year-old Michael Marcelle, whose license listed a Locust Grove address, was pronounced dead at the scene. “A driver traveling an excessive rate of speed lost […]

Spalding County Jail inmate diagnosed with COVID-19

STAFF REPORT ::: A Spalding County Jail inmate assigned to the kitchen detail has been diagnosed with COVID-19. According to a press release issued by Sheriff Darrell Dix, officials learned of the diagnosis at approximately 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. This marks the first confirmed COVID-19 case at the jail since the outset of the pandemic. “Unfortunately, […]

16-year-old identified as suspect in Monday night murder

STAFF REPORT ::: Investigators have identified a teenager as the suspect in an overnight shooting that left one man dead. The Griffin Police Department has named 16-year-old Malik Yarbrough as the gunman who shot and killed 46-year-old Robert D. Brown, of Clayton County. Authorities say numerous interviews were conducted and several search warrants executed in […]

Superior Court Judge Fletcher Sams appointed to state’s Judicial Council

STAFF REPORT ::: Griffin Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge W. Fletcher Sams has been selected to serve as administrative judge for the Sixth Judicial District of Georgia. Sams, who was sworn in July 6, is the Griffin Judicial Circuit’s first representation on Georgia’s Judicial Council in more than 20 years. He will continue to serve […]

Griffin PD investigating Monday night murder

STAFF REPORT ::: The Griffin Police Department is investigating a murder that occurred overnight Monday. GPD officers and personnel of WellStar Spalding Regional Hospital Emergency Medical Services responded at approximately 12:13 a.m. to a call reporting a person shot at 212 Melrose Avenue. Upon arrival, a deceased man, identified as 46-year-old Robert D. Brown, of […]

Spalding County murder suspect apprehended in Mississippi

STAFF REPORT ::: An arrest has been made in the Saturday night murder of 38-year-old Munteshia Brown, whose body was located in a church parking lot. Donald Colquitt, Brown’s boyfriend, has been arrested and will be charged in her death. According to a press release issued by Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix, Brown was found […]

Woman killed, man seriously injured in early Sunday morning wreck

STAFF REPORT ::: A woman was killed and a man seriously injured early Sunday morning in a one vehicle wreck in Pike County. Deputies of the Pike County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) responded at approximately 3:26 a.m. to the scene on Highway 109 in the area of Weems Road. Officials say a Kia Sorento was travelling […]

SCSO deputy seriously injured in wreck

STAFF REPORT ::: Spalding County K9 Deputy Sheriff Matthew Everett was seriously injured in a wreck Tuesday afternoon while driving home from work. Sheriff Darrell Dix says Everett’s in-car camera recorded the incident and indicates the deputy was not at fault in the collision. According to Dix, the video showed a pickup truck hydroplaning on […]

Kemp declares state of emergency, activates National Guard to curtail violence in Atlanta

STAFF REPORT ::: Governor Brian Kemp has declared a state of emergency in response to an increase in violent and property crimes in the city of Atlanta. According to a press release issued by Kemp’s office, he made this declaration “following weeks of dramatically increased violent crime and property destruction” including more than 30 Georgians […]

GBI investigation of SCSO Lt. Josh Pitts is ongoing; second deputy disciplined administratively

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The GBI investigation of Lt. Josh Pitts, of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit, is ongoing. The GRIP first reported June 8 that Pitts is being investigated by the GBI at the request of Sheriff Darrell Dix. As the case is ongoing, Dix has newly confirmed that Pitts’ status […]

SCSO: Large fight at Griffin Skate Inn draws law enforcement response

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix has responded to community concerns following a Friday night incident at Griffin Skate Inn. Dix said he can confirm a fight occurred, but stated he is unaware of the involvement of any weapons. “As far as I know – this is what was reported to us […]