Cobb Fire: Teenage boy dies after falling into freezing lake

Cobb Fire and Emergency Rescue Services officials said Thursday that one of two boys who fell into a partially frozen lake in Kennesaw on Wednesday has died.Cobb Fire Department fireworks safety reminder

Cobb Fire Public Information Officer Nicolas Danz did not identify the victim, except to say that he was 16 years old and was pronounced dead at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital.

One of the rescue workers responding to the incident also was hospitalized for hypothermia treatment, Danz said.

Danz said the victim and another 16-year-old boy had fallen into a lake off Ellison Lakes Drive on Wednesday afternoon. Cobb Police and Fire were called to the scene at 5:15 p.m, after Kennesaw Police and Cobb Police had rescued the surviving teen from the icy waters, Danz said.

He said recorded surface water temperatures on the lake were as low as 28 degrees.

Three Cobb Fire response vehicles searched for the second boy, and Cobb Police provided drone search support, according to Danz.

He said the boy was found at 6:50 p.m. Wednesday and was pulled to an embankment and rescue workers began resuscitation efforts.

The boy was taken to the hospital by Metro Atlanta Ambulance Service and two Cobb Fire personnel, according to Cobb Fire.

Danz said four rescue personnel were treated for extensive cold exposure after being in the water for up to an hour and 20 minutes.

The hospitalized rescue worker was later released, and another was treated for abrasions suffered during the rescue, according to Danz.

Danz said no further information would be provided about the identities of the boys or medical conditions “of any of the parties involved.”

 

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Man charged with kidnapping at Delk-Powers Ferry grocery store

Man charged Delk Powers-Ferry grocery kidnapping

Marietta Police said license-plate reader technology helped identify the suspect of a kidnapping and carjacking last week at a grocery store in the Delk-Powers Ferry area of East Cobb.

Randy Harmon, 34, of Meadowlawn Lane off Powers Ferry Road, was arrested Dec. 6 after police said he used a gun to force a woman into her vehicle shortly after 9 a.m. that day at the Kroger at 1120 Powers Ferry Road after she had been shopping there.

According to an arrest warrant, Harmon pushed Tomeka Harris into the front passenger seat of her Nissan Sentra. She fought him for the gun as he tried to speed away from the Kroger, driving her car.

The warrant said that Harris then managed to open the passenger door and was thrown from the car, suffering injuries to both of her knees.

Police began searching for the stolen vehicle, and Cobb officers later found the Sentra parked in a subdivision with Harris’ belongings still inside, according to a statement Wednesday issued by Marietta Police.

(The Kroger, which will be replaced by a Kroger Superstore at the MarketPlace at Terrell Mill center, is located in Marietta city limits.)

A few hours later on Dec. 6, at around 2:30 p.m., Cobb officers found another stolen vehicle in the Cumberland Mall area and arrested the driver, identified as Harmon, for possession of a stolen vehicle and other traffic offenses, according to a separate warrant.

According to his booking report at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center, Harmon was arrested at 3101 Cobb Parkway SE. The arrest warrant said the vehicle he was driving, a 2016 Hyundai Accent, was the same vehicle he drove to the Kroger store that morning.

He has been charged with kidnapping, hijacking a motor vehicle, aggravated assault and for firearms violations, as well as for driving without a license or insurance.

Harmon also is facing charges of receiving stolen property, financial transaction card theft and failure to appear in court.

He is being held without bond, according to the booking report.

Marietta Police Chief Martin Ferrell praised Harris “for her determination, courage, and resilience in the face of danger” and said he was grateful she’s safe and that her property was recovered.

“The interagency collaboration as well as investment the city and surrounding jurisdictions have made in LPR cameras definitely aided in our ability to hold this criminal accountable!” he said.

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Cobb approves facial recognition contract for public safety

Cobb approves police facial recognition contract
Cobb Police Chief Stuart VanHoozer

Over the protests of some citizens, the Cobb Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a contract for Cobb Police to use facial recognition technology for criminal investigations.

The department has been part of a complimentary pilot program with Clearview AI, one of the leading facial recognition platforms. The three-year contract comes with a cost of $17,995 a year.

During a lengthy and often impassioned presentation, Cobb Police Chief Stuart VanHoozer said the Clearview algorithm is ranked the best in the industry, and that he and his staff have been meeting with commissioners and members of the community to develop a draft policy to guide how the technology will be used.

VanHoozer repeatedly defended Clearview AI, which is used by more than 3,000 law enforcement agencies nationwide.

The platform uses artificial intelligence to find online photos from publicly available sources to find matches of criminal suspects. VanHoozer said the Cobb Police policy for using Clearview AI has taken long to develop due to concerns about how it might be used.

“There are some large misconceptions about this product and our intent,” VanHoozer said during the presentation (you can watch it in its entirety below). “I’d be happy to speak with those have been speaking up on this subject” because some of the information, he added “is inaccurate.”

One of the citizens opposed to the contract is Robin Moody of East Cobb, who mentioned during a public comment period before VanHoozer’s presentation the fines and other penalties racked up by Clearview AI for privacy rights violations in Europe, including collecting images of the faces of people without their consent.

She also said that AI hasn’t eased concerns about racial profiling.

Another citizen, during the same public comment period, said that “I don’t give you permission to use my face.”

VanHoozer said Cobb will not use Clearview AI to scan people in crowds or at public gatherings, and use of the technology will be limited to authorized investigators who must log in and provide a case number.

He said Clearview AI is just another tool to help police investigate possible suspects in crimes, and nothing more.

“Emerging technology often collides with privacy concerns,” he said. “Sometimes it takes some time to work those things out.”

But the value of the technology to Cobb Police during the pilot program has been invaluable, he said.

The Clearview AI tool helped police identify a cold-case homicide suspect and also identified the ringleader of a violent home invasion that included children being kidnapped, among other investigations.

VanHoozer said that his department governs itself with an “even stricter policy” so that citizen concerns “are strongly mitigated.”

He said Clearview AI does not do broad public surveillance, such as at public meetings and sporting events, nor does it take footage from doorbell cameras and streetlights.

“What this product does for the most part is take a photograph of a known offender and compare that to a database that has images that are legally obtained and publicly available so that we can identify that individual,” VanHoozer said.

He said the effort to craft the policy and to educate the public about how Clearview AI will be used has been complicated by what he said is information that’s “consistently” being reported incorrectly in the news media.

“We get that nobody wants to live in a police state, including me,” he said. “We would not ever do the things that have been alleged here today. I feel strongly that this is the right thing to do.”

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Cobb Police establish e-commerce safety zones for holiday shopping

The Cobb Police Department once again is implementing what it calls e-commerce safety zones for members of the public to conduct online holiday shopping in secure fashion.Cobb Police e-commerce safe zones

The signs are located at all five Cobb Police precinct locations as well as headquarters (see addresses below) and are in well-lit areas monitored by video surveillance.

  • Precinct One: 2380 N. Cobb Parkway Kennesaw, GA 30152
  • Precinct Two: 4700 Austell Rd Austell, GA 30106
  • Precinct Three: 1901 Cumberland Parkway Atlanta, GA 30339
  • Precinct Four: 4400 Lower Roswell Rd Marietta, GA 30067
  • Precinct Five: 4640 Dallas Highway Powder Springs, GA 30127
  • Headquarters: 545 Fairground St SE Suite 101 Marietta, GA 30060

The holiday shopping season also comes with a rise in entering auto and package theft crimes.

Among the recent trends in the Cobb area are daytime vehicle break-ins at public parks, gyms and especially shopping center parking lots.

Police say that if you’ve had a financial transaction card that’s been stolen to report it immediately to your institution to have it frozen since thieves tend to go to local stores and spend as much money as they can.

Motorists are encouraged to remove all valuables, especially weapons, from view every time you park and leave your vehicle. Make sure that all doors are locked.

If you see someone breaking into a vehicle do not confront but call 911 from a safe place.

Here’s more from Cobb Police about how to minimize package theft during the holidays:

Package Thefts – What You Can Do

  1. Ship it to work. Keep your package off the porch in the first place. If your company allows, consider shipping your packages to your workplace instead of your home.
  2. Enlist a neighbor’s help. Do you have a neighbor or a friend that’s usually home? If so, see if they can wait for your package or keep an eye out for it.
  3. Require a signature. Consider requesting a signature for your package to be dropped off. That way, your package won’t be left on your porch exposed to potential thieves.
  4. Take advantage of alternative delivery options and alerts. FedEx, the U.S. Postal Service and UPS all have alternative pickup and delivery options available. Visit their websites to explore your options and update your delivery preferences. You can also sign up for delivery alerts to track your package and stay up to date on delivery times.
  5. Get technical. Doorbell cameras and other security cameras can be a deterrent to would be thieves and the recorded footage provides suspect and possibly their vehicle descriptions that can be used in developing investigative leads for police if a theft occurs.
  6. Keep your porch clear and visible. It may seem counter-intuitive, but if a thief has no place to hide, they’re less likely to take the risk of going up to your porch in the first place.
  7. Ask for your box to be nondescript. Ordering from a high-end store? Consider marking the “gift” checkbox when you purchase so the package comes in a plain box. You can also request this of friends and family so your box doesn’t grab attention.
  8. Find strength in numbers. Neighborhood groups on social media or community apps like Next door can provide your neighborhood a system for reporting suspicious activity to each other.

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Smyrna murder suspect arrested in Delk-Powers Ferry area

A man wanted for the July murder of another man at a Smyrna apartment complex was arrested Wednesday in the Delk-Powers Ferry Road area.Northeast Cobb car crash, Cops on Donut Shops

Cobb Police said in a statement that they were acting on a tip from the Cobb Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Task Force when Tavis Crankfield, 20, of Decatur, was located around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Crankfield is a suspect in the July 17 shooting death of Jason Escoffrey at a swimming pool at the Village West Apartments in Smyrna.

The statement said that Crankfield was apprehended after a brief foot chase.

He was charged with two counts of felony murder, one count of malice murder, one count of aggravated assault and other felony charges and is being held without bond at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center, according to Cobb Sheriff’s Office booking reports.

Smyrna police have been asking for the public’s help in finding the suspect in Escoffrey’s killing. Escoffrey, 21, who had been living in Opelika, Ala., was found shot multiple times, police said.

According to police, Crankfield left the scene at the Smyrna apartment complex after law enforcement arrived, and Escoffrey died after being taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital.

Police said that witness statements and Crime Stopper tips identified Crankfield as the suspect.

Jail booking reports indicate that in addition to the murder warrant, three other warrants were taken out against Crankfield on Wednesday, including obstructing a law enforcement officer, a probation violation and failure to appear.

Crankfield also is wanted in Forsyth County for an April 2020 police chase in which he was one of four teens arrested for speeding on Georgia 400 to elude a traffic stop.

In October of last year, Crankfield was sentenced to five years probation after being found guilty of violating the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act for a June 2019 incident.

Police said he was one of several members of the Mucho Gang, based in the South Cobb area, who attacked two people attending a birthday party in Smyrna. Crankfield also was charged with misdemeanor battery but that was dropped, according to court records.

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Cobb police chief to speak to East Cobb Area Chamber Council

Cobb Police Chief Stuart VanHoozer is the featured speaker at the Cobb Chamber of Commerce’s East Cobb Area Council breakfast next Thursday.Stuart VanHoozer, Cobb Police Chief

A 32-year department veteran, VanHoozer was appointed in May. He will provide updates about the department, including the construction of a new precinct in East Cobb, as well as policing issues that include gang activities in schools.

The Council meeting begins at 7:30 a.m. next Thursday, Nov. 10, at the Indian Hills Country Club (4001 Clubland Drive).

The event also includes the announcement of the 2022 East Cobb Citizen of the Year.

Tickets are $25 for Cobb Chamber members and $35 for general admission. Registration closes and refunds will no longer be available after November 8. Walk-up admissions and payment cannot be granted.

For information and to register, click here.

This event is sponsored by Series Presenting Sponsor, Kaiser Permanente, and Program Sponsor, Cobb EMC.

 

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First responders treated to appreciation lunch in East Cobb

East Cobb first responders appreciation lunch

The East Cobb-based Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team once again held an appreciation barbecue lunch to honor local police, firefighters, emergency medical personnel and military veterans.

Wednesday’s lunch included the Capital City Home Loans grilling from a food truck and serving burgers and hotdogs with a variety of sides sponsored by Arrow Exterminators.

Additional sponsors for the event included American Home Shield Warranty, Amerispec Home Inspection, and Chick-Fil-A East Lake.

East Cobb first responders appreciation lunch

East Cobb first responders appreciation lunch

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Woman killed in wrong-way crash at I-285/I-75 interchange in Cobb

Cobb Police said a woman from Mableton was.killed early Friday when the car she was driving in the wrong direction at I-285 and I-75 in Cobb County collided with another vehicle.Cobb Police, Holly Springs Road suspicious person, East Cobb crime forum

Officer Joseph Wilson said in a release that Chassity Hogan, 30, was was behind the wheel of a white 2014 Hyundai Elantra around 2:50 a.m. Friday, heading southbound on I-75 in the northbound lanes just below Windy Hill Road.

Police said the Hyundai veered into another northbound line while traveling South when it collided with a blue 2017 Volvo tractor-trailer driven by Jose Henriquez, 38, of Orlando, Fla.

According to police, the impact of the collision forced the Hyundai into a guardrail after the vehicle spun around. Police said Hogan was pronounced dead on the scene by the Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office and that her next of kin has been notified; Henriquez was not injured.

The crash remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to call Cobb Police at 770-499-3987.

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Cobb Police detective named 2022 public safety employee of the year

2022 Cobb public safety employee of the year
Cobb Police Det. Zachary Stannard. Photo: Karl L. Moore/Mooreshots LLC, courtesy Cobb Chamber of Commerce

A Cobb Police detective who linked a double murder to the stabbing of a police officer, leading to the apprehension of the suspect, was named the 2022 public safety employee of the year Monday by the Cobb Chamber of Commerce.

The award, according to a Cobb Chamber release, “is given to an employee who has performed his or her job with exceptional skill, exhibited leadership and critical incident management and a devotion to their responsibilities.

Det. Zachary Stannard was called to investigate the double murder of a Cherokee firefighter and his wife in November in a north Cobb home, the day before a Sandy Springs police officer was stabbed in the face and neck.

Initially the cases were not connected, but Matthew Lanz, 22, of Acworth was taken into custody two days later and charged in both incidents.

He was indicted on 13 counts by a Cobb grand jury in April, including malice murder in the slayings of Timothy and Amber Hicks.

Lanz also has been indicted on 35 counts in Fulton County, including attempted murder.

“Detective Stannard worked for days without rest to deliver justice for the family of the deceased,” the Cobb Chamber release states, including keeping “the family updated throughout his investigation and even attended the funeral of the victims.

Earlier last year, Stannard responded to the murder of a father who was shot while driving with his daughter in their car. The detective eventually identified the vehicles of the suspects and tracked them several hundred miles away.

“Detective Stannard maintains a fierce devotion to aid the citizens of Cobb County. Long hours and stressful cases can certainly demoralize many in the law enforcement profession. However, he has shown his ongoing desire to serve as the voice of those who cannot speak for themselves, and he provides closure for the families of his victims. Detective Stannard’s dedication, exceptional skill and expertise are what make him the incredible public servant he is to Cobb.”

The Award of Merit was given to the Cobb Fire and Emergency Service’s Squad 7 and Rescue 23 for their lifesaving actions during a house fire.

Cobb Emergency Communications Officer Theresa Carcioppolo was named the recipient of the Outstanding Community Contribution Award for her work educating children and adults about the 911 industry.

The Cobb Chamber luncheon on Monday included a tribute to the two Cobb Sheriff’s deputies who were killed last month in the line of duty. You can see that presentation below.

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Outdoor burning period begins in Cobb; restrictions apply

Outdoor burning is allowed in Cobb County from Oct. 1 to April 30, enabling citizens to burn limited yard debris such as leaves, pine straw, and small limbs from growth on their property. Cobb Fire Department fireworks safety reminder

However, there are some restrictions, as explained by the Cobb Fire and Emergency Services Department:

  • Burning is allowed between the hours of 10 a.m. and one hour before sunset (no smoldering or hot coals remaining). Yard waste fires must be completely extinguished one hour prior to sunset.
  • No burning is allowed on windy days (10 mph or higher) or on days when the atmospheric conditions (cloudy, overcast, or raining) would cause the smoke to remain low to the ground.
  • Burning must be attended by an adult who must be watching the fire at all times. Never leave a fire unattended.
  • A water hose long enough to reach the fire must be on hand and ready for use.
  • Fires may not be started with petroleum-based products.
  • Only clean wood may be burned. Clean wood means natural wood which has not been painted, varnished, or coated with a similar material; has not been pressure treated with preservatives; and does not contain resins or glues as in plywood or other composite wood products.
  • Yard waste (small) fire must be at least 50 feet from all structures, including fences of combustible material, limbs no larger than 6” diameter, pile no greater than 6’ x 6’, at least 25’ from roads with speed limits greater than 35 mph.
  • Yard waste fires larger than 6’x6’ require a Yard Waste (large) permit.
  • Burning in a barrel is prohibited.
  • Burning of garbage is prohibited. Garbage is any waste material that includes but is not limited to plastic products, Styrofoam, fiberglass, recycling wire (burned to access metal), tires, clothing, furniture, mattresses, boxes, papers, stumps, root balls, and kudzu vines.
  • Any yard debris that is moved from one property to another cannot be burned. For information regarding alternative methods to dispose of yard waste, contact the Georgia Environmental Protection Division at (404) 362-2537.
  • Even if all guidelines for burning are followed, you may be required to extinguish the fire if it adversely interferes with another’s enjoyment of life, use of property, or if someone with a health problem is affected.

The Cobb Fire Marshal’s Office has prepared a complete guide to outdoor burning that can be found by clicking here and here.

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Pedestrian hit by four vehicles in fatal Roswell Road crash

Fatal pedestrian crash Roswell Road

A man who crossed Roswell Road near Powers Ferry Road Saturday night was struck by four vehicles and was killed, according to Marietta Police.

Police said in a message Monday afternoon that the victim’s name has not been released because next-of-kin are still being notified.

He was identified by police as a 38-year-old Hispanic male who exited the parking lot at the Mi Rancho restaurant (1495 Roswell Road) around 9:15 p.m. Saturday.

That’s near Williamson Bros. BBQ in the location of a former McDonald’s.

UPDATED:

Marietta Police said the victim was Ismael Bernardo Morales.

Police said the man crossed Roswell Road outside of a crosswalk and was struck by four vehicles. He was pronounced dead on the scene, according to police, who said all four motorists stayed on the scene and are cooperating with police.

Marietta Police are continuing to investigate the crash and are asking anyone with information to call Investigator Bedford at 770-794-5364.

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Congregation Etz Chaim honors Cobb schools resource officers

Congregation Etz Chaim honors Cobb schools resource officers
Cobb County School District resource officers Kevin Brunson, William Duling and Jerry Quan hold plaques given them by teens at Congregation Etz Chaim. Photos: Jewish National Fund-USA.

Congregation Etz Chaim of East Cobb this week marked the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks by honoring Cobb County School District resource officers.

Their presentation on Wednesday to resource officers Jerry Quan, William Marshall Duling  and Kevin Brunson, thanking them for their service, was conducted in partnership with the Jewish National Fund-USA.

Teens from the synagogue’s youth group presented plaques to the officers.

“I felt inspired seeing the people who keep me safe at the synagogue I grew up in,” said Etz Chaim teen Mia Kleinman.

Said Tamar Oren, a senior at Sprayberry High School: “The officers are like our dads at school. They talk to us in the hall and are people we go to for absolutely anything. I know they have risked their lives and for that I am forever grateful.”

Etz Chaim Rabbi Daniel Dorsch said that “we continue to be grateful for our community’s partnership with Jewish National Fund-USA that enabled us to honor our law enforcement personnel in such a special and meaningful way.”

According to a release by JNF, the plaque features the JNF’s 9/11 Living Memorial in Jerusalem, which is “the only commemorative site of its type outside of the U.S. that lists all the names of those who were killed on 9/11.

“It represents the firefighters, paramedics, and police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice and worked tirelessly to save countless lives on that infamous day, and honors first responders who risk it all to protect and serve. Established in 2009, the monument is a testament to the deep connection between the State of Israel and the U.S., and our countries’ shared values of peace, religious tolerance, democracy, and fighting terrorism.”

Congregation Etz Chaim honors Cobb schools resource officers

Congregation Etz Chaim honors Cobb schools resource officers

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Funeral arrangements set for slain Cobb Sheriff’s deputies

Funeral services slain Cobb deputies
Deputy Jonathan Koleski

Funeral services will be held this week for the two Cobb Sheriff’s deputies who were killed Thursday in the line of duty.

Cobb government sent out a message Sunday night saying that the funeral service for Deputy Jonathan Koleski will take place Wednesday at North Star Church (3413 Blue Springs Road Kennesaw) at 12 p.m.

A visitation is from 9-11 a.m. at the church and burial will take place starting at 2:30 p.m. at the Georgia National Cemetery (1080 Veterans Cemetery Road
Canton).

Koleski, 42, had been with the Cobb Sheriff’s Office since 2007 and is a veteran of the U.S. Army.

The funeral for Deputy Marshall Ervin is scheduled for Thursday at 2 p.m. at West Ridge Church (3522 Hiram Acworth Highway, Dallas), with visitation from 12—2 p.m.

Erwin, 38, had been a deputy for the last seven years.

The Cobb Sheriff’s Office said it would be releasing information about the routes of the funeral processions for members of the public who wish to pay their respects.

Deputy Marshall Ervin
Deputy Marshall Ervin

On Thursday night, Koleski and Ervin were attempting to take into custody a man who was wanted for a failure to appear on a theft by deception charge.

Another man came out of the house and into the driveway with a weapon and ignored the deputies’ demands to drop it, according to Cobb Police, who said gunfire ensued.

The deputies were both shot and died, and the two suspects eventually surrendered. On Friday they were denied bond by a Cobb Magistrate judge.

Christopher Golden, 30, has been charged with two counts of felony murder and two counts of aggravated assault.

Christopher Cook, 32, the subject of the warrant, has been charged with eight counts of theft in charges stemming from this spring.

The Cobb Sheriff’s Foundation, a non-profit organization founded last year that serves Sheriff’s Office personnel and their families, has set up a donate button for its Fallen Officer Fund on its website for the families of Koleski and Ervin.

The Sheriff’s Office has set up a memorial to the slain deputies at its headquarters visitation center at 1877 County Services Parkway, Marietta.

Koleski and Ervin also were honored with a moment of silence Sunday afternoon at Mercedes Benz Stadium during the Atlanta Falcons game with the New Orleans Saints.

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2 Cobb Sheriff’s deputies killed; 2 suspects arrested

UPDATED FRIDAY 2 P.M.:

The Cobb Sheriff’s Office said Friday afternoon that the two men arrested after the shooting deaths of two deputies Thursday night will have first hearings Friday afternoon.Cobb Sheriff's Office

Officer Jeremy Blake identified the suspects as Christopher Cook and Christopher Golden, and said their hearings will be at 4 p.m. Friday in Cobb Magistrate Court.

Golden, 30, has been charged with two counts of felony murder and two counts of aggravated assault and is being held without bond, according to the Cobb Sheriff’s Office.

Cook, 32, is being booked on at least eight charges of theft by deception and theft by receiving stolen property and is being held on a bond of $1,320.

Blake said Cobb Sheriff’s Office, Cobb Police and Georgia Bureau of Investigation officials will have a press conference after the hearing to provide more details.

The names of the two deputies have not been made public as of 2 p.m. Friday.

They were shot while serving a warrant at a home on Hampton Glen Court in West Cobb Thursday evening.

Deputies were trying to serve a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of theft by deception, but no one was home, according to the Cobb Sheriff’s Office.

A vehicle then pulled into the driveway and shots were fired, the Sheriff’s Office said. An hours-long standoff ended after midnight Friday as two men peacefully surrendered.

The deputies were only the second and third from Cobb to die in the line of duty.

Cobb tax assessor’s office records show that Cook is the owner of the Hampton Glen Court home. Golden’s home address is listed at the same location, according to jail records.

UPDATED FRIDAY 1:15 A.M.:

Cobb Sheriff Craig Owens said two suspects he said “ambushed” two of his deputies Thursday were taken into custody after an hours-long standoff at a West Cobb home.

The names of the deputies have not been released pending notification of family, and the identities of the suspects also have not been revealed.

Owens said the deputies were trying to serve a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of theft by deception at a residence on Hampton Glen Drive, but no one was home.

A vehicle pulled into the driveway and gunfire ensued, according to Owens, who said the deputies were able to call for help.

One of the suspects was arrested shortly after the shootings, he said, and the other was arrested after a standoff.

Owens held a press conference shortly after midnight Friday at the Cobb Sheriff’s Office headquarters with heads of other law enforcement agencies standing by.

Cobb Police is leading the investigation.

More to come later Friday.

ORIGINAL REPORT:

The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday night that two of its deputies have been killed in the line of duty.

In a social media posting at 9 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office said the deputies were at a residence serving a warrant when they died. The message said a saw suspect is being barricaded and that Cobb Police SWAT and Fugitive Apprehension Support Team personnel are on the scene.

The location is on Hampton Glen Drive, a residential street west of Marietta in the Cheatham Hill area.

It’s off Irwin Road near John Ward Road, and law enforcement from multiple agencies are responding.

“We will release additional information, including the names of the fallen deputies, as it becomes available,” the Sheriff’s Office message said.

According to the Officers Down Memorial Page, the Cobb Sheriff’s Office has had only one officer killed in the line of duty previously. That was Deputy Donald Terry Garrison, who died on Aug. 27, 1990 when his patrol car was struck by a speeding vehicle on Roswell Street in Marietta.

This story will be updated.

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Cobb Police to hold Community and Faith Forum

Submitted information:Cobb Police Community Faith Forum

The Cobb County Police Department invites you to attend the Community & Faith Forum, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, at the Cobb County Public Safety Training Academy, 2435 East-West Connector, Austell.

This is an opportunity to meet CCPD’s new leadership team and hear their vision for the department and the direction they will be taking as they deal with violent crime and the safety of Cobb citizens. The goal is to build trust with our community.

The Community & Faith Forum was created to promote harmony within Cobb County by bringing together different faiths and beliefs to discuss challenging social issues and raise awareness.

This event is free and open to the public.

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Cobb Fire Station 21 crew, 911 operator earn Lifesaver awards

Cobb Fire 21 crew Lifesaver Award

Members of Cobb Station 21 in East Cobb and a Cobb 911 operator have been recognized for their efforts in helping a parent resuscitate his son during a medical emergency.

The Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services Department announced this the staffers are the recipients of its Lifesaver Award.

Cobb 911 took a call on Jan. 2 from a father whose 13-year-old son had stopped breathing and didn’t have a pulse.

Emergency Communications Officer Emily Mistrella helped the father conduct basic CPR as Company 21, based on Lower Roswell Road, was dispatched to the scene.

Company 21 and MetroAmbulance restarted the boy’s heart with a defibrillation and other measures.

In the photo, from L-R, are Emily Mistretta of Cobb  911 and Company 21 personnel Capt. Tom Covington, Lt. David Hallford, Michal Uszynski, Nathan Ricketts, Timothy Ereddia, Monique Broussard, Edwin Sexton and Damien Whitehead.

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Cobb Police offer back-to-school traffic and safety tips

Cobb Police back-to-school safety tips
Kindergarteners at Tritt ES get off the school bus during a ride-along event Thursday. Photo: Cobb County School District.

This week the Cobb Police Department has been rolling out safety-related information with another school year about to begin on Monday in the Cobb County School District.

The Cobb school district, which serves nearly 107,000 students at 112 schools, is  unveiling a new school crisis alert system with the 2022-23 school year. In the wake of the school shooting in May in Uvalde, Texas, the district announced that each school will be having at least one Code Red drill.

The Cobb Board of Education also has approved the hiring of non-police-certified armed guards and will permit some non-teaching staff to voluntarily carry weapons on campus.

Cobb also announced this week it has created the position of assistant superintendent for school safety initiatives and hired Osborne High School principal Josh Morreale to take on that role.

In addition to traffic reminders related to bus stops and child pedestrians, police also have provided safety tips for students at school.

On the roads, motorists are required to do the following:

  • Stop for school buses with safety lights activated and storm arms extended;
  • Stop and yield to pedestrians crossing at a crosswalk or intersection;
  • Stop for a crossing guard holding up a stop sign;
  • Never pass another vehicle stopped for pedestrians;
  • Obey all traffic signs posted in and around a traffic zone, including speed and parking restrictions.

It’s a violation of state law to disobey the instructions of a traffic control device unless directed by a law enforcement officer.

Students walking to and from school should observe the following:

  • Never walk while texting; step aside to let others pass by on a sidewalk;
  • Do not cross the street while using an electronic device;
  • Look left, then right, then left again before crossing the street and cross only at crosswalks;
  • Do not wear earbuds or headphones while walking across the street, and stay alert.

Inside the school buildings, police encourage students to take the following measures to protect themselves and their belongings:

  • Always keep lockers locked and don’t preset the combination to the last number for easy entry;
  • Secure belongings inside a locker; do not leave them on top, on benches, or in a classroom or bathroom;
  • Never share a locker combination with anyone;
  • If riding a bike, lock it to a rack or another stationary object;
  • If driving, keep the vehicle locked, windows closed and belongings out of sight;
  • Do not bring certain valuables to school, especially large amounts of cash or expensive jewelry;
  • Do not bring weapons to school, and if you see one, immediately report it to school officials and resource officer;
  • Report suspicious activities to the police, school officials, and your parents;
  • Tell a teacher, parent, or another trusted adult if you feel unsafe or if someone is bullying or threatening you;
  • Say no to adults if they ask you to do something you know is wrong, or if it makes you feel unsafe or uncomfortable.

For more information about school safety, visit the Cobb County School District’s Cobb Shield resource page; more information about school buses can be found by clicking here.

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Power restored at Cobb County Adult Detention Center

After being out in some areas for more than two days, electrical power has been fully restored at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center.Cobb Sheriff's Office

Sgt. Jeremy Blake, the public information officer for the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office, said in a release Tuesday morning that electricity was restored at 2:15 a.m. Tuesday.

On Saturday afternoon the Towers, an inmate housing area with around 600 detainees, experienced intermittent power disruptions and electricity was lost to certain areas of the facility.

Blake said maintenance crews said the outage was caused by a water leak that had damaged a power line, preventing emergency generators from providing power to the affected areas.

He said contractors and jail maintenance staff worked over the weekend and into early Tuesday to get the parts and make repairs.

During the outage, Blake said, additional law enforcement was called to the scene. Inmates “were provided with continuous ice and water and deputies increased the frequency of safety and security checks. Extra medical staff were on standby in the towers in case of a medical emergency,” Blake said.

A number of buildings at the jail complex, which opened in 1989, are currently or will be getting overhauled. The detention center is located at 1825 County Services Parkway in Marietta.

“I would like to publicly recognize the efforts by our staff over the last 36 hours,” Cobb Sheriff Craig Owens said in the release. “Our staff came in early and stayed late to make sure every detainee was safe and taken care of. Even simple tasks like delivering three meals a day required a team effort to complete. Our staff had to carry everything up and down multiple flights of stairs to make sure everyone’s needs were met.”

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3 teens charged with arson for Chimney Lakes gazebo fire

Cobb Fire investigators say three 14-year-old boys have been charged with third-degree arson in connection with a fire that was set to the gazebo of the Chimney Lakes subdivision in East Cobb. Cobb Fire Department fireworks safety reminder

Chief investigator Brian Beaty said in a release Thursday that delinquency complaints were filed with the Juvenile Court of Cobb County on Wednesday.

He said that Cobb Fire and Emergency crews responded to an outdoor fire on July 7 around 5:38 p.m. at a residential address on Johnson Ferry Road near Chimney Lake Drive.

According to fire investigators, Cobb Fire staffers found the lakeside gazebo “involved by fire” and that preliminary findings indicated that the three males deliberately set the structure on fire.

Beaty said that anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Cobb Fire and Emergency Services at 770-499-3869.

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Construction costs ‘elevated’ for new Cobb Police Precinct 6

Cobb Police Precinct 6

Cobb County officials will be asking commissioners Tuesday to set what they’re calling a “Guaranteed Maximum Price” to complete the building of the new Cobb Police Precinct 6 in Northeast Cobb.

According to an agenda item, the new station to be located next to the Mountain View Aquatic Center was earmarked with $5 million in funding from the 2016 Special-Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax.

But the estimated price tag for the facility has grown to more than $5.5 million, according to the agenda item, which is recommending a build-out in stages.

“Due to currently elevated construction costs, budgeted funding is insufficient to complete build-out of the entire facility as designed,” states the agenda item.

The initial phase would include the construction of the exterior, front office spaces and a community room area, and provide space for on-site equipment access.

“When additional funding is identified, continuation of the project will be revisited at that time,” according to the budget item.

County officials are requesting $536,973 from county reserve funding to complete the project.

The new precinct initially will not have a patrol zone and instead will house police specialty units. Groundbreaking was held last November, after commissioners approved a two-phase contract with the Batson-Cook Company.

The first phase costs are $723,980 for design and other work. In the agenda item for Tuesday, the proposed Maximum Guaranteed Price for construction is $4,736,378, bringing the overall costs to $5,460,358.

Most of the East Cobb area is currently covered by Cobb Police Precinct 4, located on Lower Roswell Road.

That precinct runs from the Powers Ferry Road area to the east side of Canton Road.

Commissioners also will be asked on Tuesday to formally accept $73,824,239, the second of two lump sums from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Those funds are designated for state, local and other governments as part of the continuing response to COVID-19 and can be used for infrastructure upgrades, rental and small business assistance and support for essential workers.

There also will be a public hearing at the start of the meeting for the initial draft of Cobb County’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan 5-Year Update.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the second floor board room of the Cobb government building (100 Cherokee St., downtown Marietta).

The full agenda can be found here; there are two public comment sessions at the start and near the end of the meeting.

The meeting also will be live-streamed on the county’s website, cable TV channel (Channel 24 on Comcast) and Youtube page. Visit cobbcounty.org/CobbTV for other streaming options.

 

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