Joseph Santiago

Name of Accused:
Santiago, Joseph Anthony

Date of Arrest:
08/07/2024


Charges For Arrest:
Simple battery
Aggravated Assault
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On 8/6/24 at 0608 hours, I, Ofc. Jump, was dispatched to Max Fitness at 112 Sutherlin Dr. in reference to a fight. When I arrived on scene, I made with two victims, [VICTIM ] and [VICTIM ].
Ms. [VICTIM ] advised she and her boyfriend [VICTIM ] were at the gym exercising in the upstairs portion of the gym. She advised a male she used to be friends with, Anthony Santiago, approached them. She advised Mr. Santiago believed the relationship was more than a friendship and confronted her and Mr. [VICTIM ]. She advised during the confrontation, Mr. Santiago began yelling at her and advised she needed to return gifts he previously gave her during their friendship. She advised he then tried to push her away to get to Mr. [VICTIM ]. She advised she was stuck in the middle as Mr. Santiago continued pushing and shoving Mr. [VICTIM ]. The two males were separated and Mr. Santiago left the gym in a white Ford Raptor.
Mr. [VICTIM ] advised he and Ms. [VICTIM ] were working out upstairs in the gym. He advised a former gym partner and friend of Ms. [VICTIM ]’s, Mr. Santiago, approached and began yelling at Ms. [VICTIM ]. He advised he told Mr. Santiago to stop yelling at Ms. [VICTIM ]. He advised Mr. Santiago then shoved Ms. [VICTIM ] to get to him and Mr. Santiago then began pushing and shoving him toward the upstairs balcony rail. He advised as Mr. Santiago was shoving him toward the rail, he did punch Mr. Santiago to prevent them from falling. Mr. [VICTIM ] advised they were separated and Mr. Santiago left the gym in a white pickup truck, either at Ram TRX or a Ford Raptor.
Neither party had any visible injuries. I was unable to review video footage at the time of this report. Management advised they would return at 1000 hours this date to provide video footage. There were no witnesses at this time who witnessed the start of the altercation.
At 1000 hours this date, I returned to Max Fitness at 112 Sutherlin Dr. in reference to reviewing security footage of this incident. The video showed Ms. [VICTIM ] and Mr. [VICTIM ] working out on the top floor of Max Fitness. Mr. Santiago walked upstairs clearly agitated and confronted Ms. [VICTIM ] and Mr. [VICTIM ]. Ms. [VICTIM ] attempted to walk away from the altercation by walking around an exercise machine. Mr. Santiago then blocked her exit and she then walked back to the other side of the machine and attempted to walk around Mr. Santiago until he started yelling and pointing at Mr. [VICTIM ].
Ms. [VICTIM ] then tried to stop Mr. Santiago from approaching Mr. [VICTIM ]. Mr. Santiago then shoved Ms. [VICTIM ] and lunged at Mr. [VICTIM ] who he then grabbed by the throat and shoved toward the balcony rail which lead to an approximately 15-20 foot drop. It appeared in the video Mr. Santiago was trying to shove Mr. [VICTIM ] over the railing. While this was occurring, Mr. [VICTIM ] was able to throw two punches until other gym members were able to separate the males. This video was recorded on my department issued phone and will be attached to this report.
Due to the video clearly showing Mr. Santiago as the primary aggressor and Mr. [VICTIM ] acting in self defense, I will be seeking a warrant on Mr. Santiago for aggravated assault against Mr. [VICTIM ] for grabbing him by the throat and attempting to throw him over the railing. I will he seeking a warrant for simple battery for Mr. Santiago shoving Ms. [VICTIM ].
Ms. [VICTIM ] and Mr. [VICTIM ] were given a case number and advised how to obtain a copy of this report.
[End of Narrative]