In Augusta, Georgia, a man wanted for an earlier assault case was caught red-handed during a burglary at a local pharmacy, authorities shared on Monday.
Early Sunday morning, Richmond County deputies rushed to Barney’s Pharmacy on Furys Ferry Road after a burglary alarm went off around 4 a.m. When officers got there, they found a suspect in the act of stuffing medication into two large duffle bags. The scene quickly turned dramatic.
As backup deputies arrived, the suspect tried to make a run for it, clutching the duffle bags. He jumped through a broken window, which the police believe he had smashed to get inside. Despite officers shouting commands for him to stop, the suspect ignored them and kept trying to escape.
The situation escalated when the suspect resisted arrest, even yelling, “It wasn’t me!” One deputy had to use a taser to stop him, but the man still refused to cooperate. A second taser was deployed, which finally subdued him. The suspect was then handcuffed and taken into custody without further trouble.
Emergency responders treated the suspect for minor cuts on his hands. After a brief check-up at Wellstar MCG, he was sent to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center. However, this was just the beginning of the story.
At the detention center, fingerprint checks revealed the man’s true identity: Walter Anthony Tarver. Not only was he charged with smash-and-grab burglary, resisting law enforcement, and giving false information to officers, but he was also wanted for an aggravated assault that took place on Warren Road back in December. Additionally, Tarver had a warrant for possessing a firearm during a crime.
On Sunday evening, Sheriff-elect Eugene Brantley and Chief Blanchard stopped by to personally thank the deputies for their efforts. They handed out law enforcement backpacks as a token of appreciation. Sheriff Brantley praised the officers for their quick thinking and teamwork, saying their actions prevented further harm to the community.
This case is a reminder of the dedication law enforcement brings to keeping neighborhoods safe, even in the early hours of the morning. Thanks to their swift action, a wanted man is now behind bars.
