Carl Strother

Name of Accused:
Strother, Carl Edward

Date of Arrest:
07/27/2024


Charges For Arrest:
THEFT BY SHOPLIFTING – M
THEFT BY SHOPLIFTING – M
THEFT BY SHOPLIFTING – M
SIMPLE BATTERY AGAINST A PERSON WHO IS 65 YEARS OR OLDER OR WHO IS PREGNANT AT TIME OF THE OFFENSE – M
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 July 27, 2024
, at approximately 15:15 I was entering the produce entrance side door to the Walmart, located at 1955 E. Montgomery Crossroad, when I observed the offender, later identified as Carl Strother, running towards me being chased by a Savannah Police Officer, later identified as Ofc T. Jones. Ofc Jones and I stopped the offender as he exited the door and I handcuffed him without further incident. My body worn camera was activated. Cpl Taylor, Cpl Snyder, and Ofc Nathai arrived on scene to assist me.
INTERVIEW
I interviewed Ofc Jones at the scene. Ofc Jones stated that he was working off-duty as security at the Walmart. He stated that he was outside the store when Walmart Associate [WITNESS ] came out of the store and told him that there was a shoplifter about to exit the produce side doors and gave him the offender’s description. Ofc Jones stated that he entered the produce side door and observed the offender walking towards him carrying a black backpack. He stated that he tried to stop the offender by grabbing him and the backpack, but the offender was able to get free and ran towards the side door. Ofc stated that as he was trying to stop the offender, the offender swung the backpack and struck the victim [VICTIM ] in the face as she sat in a motorized shopping cart in the produce side foyer. See Ofc Jones’s report, SPD case report number 240727060.
I interviewed the victim [VICTIM ] at the scene. Mrs. [VICTIM ] stated that she had entered the produce side doors to Walmart and had just sat down on a motorized shopping cart. She stated that as she began to enter the store, the offender exited the produce side entry gates and was walking towards her. Mrs. [VICTIM ] stated that the offender was approached by Ofc Jones, and a scuffle ensued between them. She stated that the offender went to drop the backpack, but then lifted it up and forcefully swung it towards her striking her in the face and right shoulder. Mrs. [VICTIM ] requested medical assistance and Ofc Jones requested EMS to respond, however Mrs. [VICTIM ] did not wish to wait for them and stated that she would seek medical care on her own. I gave Mrs. [VICTIM ] a victim’s rights pamphlet with this case report number.
I interviewed the witness [WITNESS ] at the scene. Mrs. [WITNESS ] stated that she is a Walmart Associate and was working in the men’s clothing area. She stated that she observed the offender take a black backpack and put numerous clothing items into it. Mrs. [WITNESS ] stated that the offender looked up and saw that she was looking at him and said “hi” to her. She said that she said “hi” back to him and he closed the backpack and left the men’s clothing area. Mrs. [WITNESS ] stated that she saw Walmart Associate [WITNESS ] nearby and asked him to alert Asset Protection or the off-duty security officer of the shoplifting by the offender.
I interviewed the witness [WITNESS ] at the scene. Mr. [WITNESS ] stated that he is a Walmart Associate and was near the men’s clothing area when Mrs. [WITNESS ] asked him to alert Asset Protection or the off-duty security officer of the shoplifting by the offender. He stated that he went outside to tell Ofc Jones about the shoplifting by the offender relaying the description given to him by Mrs. [WITNESS ].
INVESTIGATION
Ofc Jones and I escorted the offender Carl Strother to the Asset Protection (AP) office, and I went into the store to find an AP Associate. I located AP [WITNESS ] and we returned to the AP office. Inside the AP office I ed the backpack that the offender had attempted to leave the store with and found numerous items of clothing with the tags still attached. AP [WITNESS ] provided a store receipt with a list of the items and their values and I uploaded a picture of the receipt into Axon Capture. The following goods, worth a total of $323.73, were recovered from the offender:
2 x AND1 Men All Court Color block 11″ Shorts $19.96
2 x Reebok Men’s Trail Quarter Zip Active Top $6.00
2 x Wrangler Men’s Regular Fit Jeans with Flex $39.96
2 x Reebok Men’s Delta Core 9″ Shorts $28.00
1 x John Deere Flex Duck Short $9.00
1 x UPSA MEN’S STRETCH POOL SHORT $20.00
1 x Reebok Men’s Breakthrough 9″ Shorts $16.00
1 x Reebok Men’s Advance Knit 10″ Inseam Shorts $13.00
3 x Reebok Men’s Delta Core T-Shirt $9.00
1 x American Giant Men’s USA Tee $12.98
3 x Reebok Men’s Graphic Short Sleeve Tees $15.00
4 x Reebok Adult Unisex 6-Panel Snapback Pro Hat $59.88
1 x Reebok Adult Unisex Lightweight Training Hat $14.97
1 x Reebok Men’s Trail Quarter Zip Active Top $19.00
1 x Eastsport Unisex Expandable Team Backpack, Black $34.98
AP [WITNESS ] completed a CCPD Form 1014 and surveillance video of the incident, I uploaded both the form and video to Axon Capture. I provided AP [WITNESS ] with this case report number.
I transported the offender Carl Strother to the Chatham County Detention Center without incident and booked him in.
[End of Narrative]