2 months ago
"See something, say something," that's the message the Macon Police Department wants to get out to the community.
"Many of the leads that we developed with the Village Green came from the people that live there. They called, they gave us Crimestoppers information. That helped, they're participating," said Major Charles Stone.
With the recent shootings, arson, and hostage situation in Macon of the last few days, they want people to stand up and take back their community.
Police spokeswoman Jami Gaudet says Friday night police made a second arrest in a burglary and arson case.
She says police arrested 17-year-old Eric Hill and charged him with arson and burglary.
Major Robert Grabowski says police arrested Cameron Sellers in connection to a burglary on Village Green Lane. That's the same home someone set fire to a few hours after a shooting injured two teens and killed another.
Sellers is charged with theft by receiving stolen property. Grabowski says found the stolen items when they searched Sellers' home, also on Village Green Lane.
Stone says they're considering retribution as a motive for the arson. They believe the family was being interviewed by police when the fire was set.
Police have also arrested Shawn Kitchens. After working with the district attorney's office, Stone says he'll be charged with murder. They say he was originally charged with criminal attempt to murder in connection with the Village Green shooting. Stone wouldn't say why they upgraded the charge.
According to Stone, some people involved have identified themselves as gang members.
Grabowski says they have more suspects and expect to make more arrest in the Village Green crimes, and they're still under investigation.
Police also detailed the hostage situation that happened at Marion Avenue early Friday morning. That's in south Macon between Broadway and Mead Road.
Grabowski says they arrested 21-year-old Corted Tharpe. He's charged with one count of kidnapping with bodily injury, three counts of kidnapping, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
He held two men, two women, and a one-year-old child for about four hours.
Police spokeswoman Jami Gaudet says officers were called around 2:20 a.m. to the scene on Marion Avenue.
A call to E911 said a man had barricaded himself into the house. Grabowski couldn't say if the call came from inside the home.
The police used a throw phone to communicate with the suspect.
"The perp became actively aggressive toward police, he challenged police. At one point SWAT team had an opportunity and they took it. The team went in found the hostages got them all out safe," said Grabowski.
He says someone in the home suffered non-life threatening injuries from Tharpe, but wouldn't give details.
A news release from the department says Tharpe also faces 1 count of simple battery, family violence from a previous domestic dispute earlier this week.
Grabowski says what triggered the hostage situation is still under investigation.
Stone says they're also investigating the Thursday morning shooting that injured two women. They arrested Tameka Anderson in the Ramona Avenue shooting. Lt. Carl Fletcher says she turned herself into police.
He says she's charged with two counts of criminal attempt to commit murder. He says they're looking for another person to come forward as well.
If you have any information on any of the case you're asked to call Macon Police at 751-7500 or Crimestoppers at 1-877-68 CRIME.
