Steven Podgorski

Name of Accused:
Podgorski, Steven Mark

Date of Arrest:
07/12/2024


Charges For Arrest:
Aggravated Assault
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 Thursday, July 11th, 2024
at approximately 2312 hours I was dispatched to [30 BLOCK] Bramblewood Pointe SW, Cartersville, Georgia 30120 in reference to a threat regarding suspicious individuals and a firearm being brandished and pointed at individuals.
Upon my arrival, I met with [VICTIM ], [VICTIM ], and [REDACTED]. [VICTIM ] and [VICTIM ] told me they were sitting in the parking lot for the Bramblewood Neighborhood Pool in [VICTIM ]’ 2008 Ford Focus. While [VICTIM ] and [VICTIM ] were sitting in the car, another car reported to be a Tan Nissan Rogue bearing Georgia plate [REDACTED] pulled up to the left side of their car.
[VICTIM ] and [VICTIM ] told me there were two white males inside of the vehicle. Due to the darkness, [VICTIM ] and [VICTIM ] had trouble noticing most destinctive features on the two white males. [VICTIM ] and [VICTIM ] told me one male had long dirty hair and another male had short hair and a thin beard. [VICTIM ] and [VICTIM ] told me the male sitting in the passenger seat asked them “You here for the green?” When [VICTIM ] and [VICTIM ] said no, the male in the passenger seat then brandished a black pistol, waved it around outside of the vehicle, and pointed the black firearm toward [VICTIM ] and [VICTIM ]. [VICTIM ] and [VICTIM ] said the driver never said anything to them.
The male told [VICTIM ] and [VICTIM ] to “Get the fu*k outta here!” twice as he was waving and pointing the gun at [VICTIM ] and [VICTIM ]. When [VICTIM ] and [VICTIM ] backed out and left the parking lot, [VICTIM ] and [VICTIM ] said the two males followed them in their car to the culdesac that is located at the bottom of the hill in front of [VICTIM ]’s house at [30 BLOCK] Bramblewood. The car then turned around and left as if they were leaving the neighborhood.
I advised [VICTIM ], [VICTIM ], and [REDACTED] we would be attempting to locate the vehicle to make with the occupants. I advised them that I would them if we made with the suspects.
Later in the night on Friday, July 12th, 2024
at approximately 0151 hours I was dispatched to [20 BLOCK] Bramblewood Pointe SW, Cartersville, Georgia 30120 in reference to a follow up to this case.
Bartow Dispatch advised me that when [VICTIM ] was returning from [VICTIM ]’s house, he observed the suspect’s vehicle sitting in the driveway of [20 BLOCK] Bramblewood Pointe SW. I asked for other deputies to be enroute with me due to the nature of the incident.
Upon our arrival to [20 BLOCK] Bramblewood Pointe SW, we observed the Nissan Rogue sitting in the driveway with no one inside. With blue cruise lights shining on a marked Bartow County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle, I made my way to the front door of the residence, knocked, and announced Bartow County Sheriff’s Office. After some time of knocking and announcing ourselves, Steven Podgorski came to the door. Steven did not want to step out of the residence. Due to seeing a bulge in his right pocket that appeared to be a firearm, I grabbed Steven’s right arm and brought him outside of the residence.
I conducted a pat down on Steven and walked him to a patrol vehicle. I asked Steven what had happened earlier in the day. Steven said he had no idea. I asked him if he was ever down in the parking lot for the neighborhood’s pool. Steven said no. I asked who the long haired male was that he was with. Steven said he was not with another male. I asked if Steven was in the driver’s seat or the passenger seat and Steven said he was in the passenger seat.
I asked Steven if he had a history of smoking Marijuana. Steven said he did not use Marijuana. I asked Steven why I was being told that a male with short hair and a short beard in the passenger’s seat of the Nissan Rogue waved a gun and pointed a gun at somebody. Steven said he didn’t know. I asked if somebody stole the Nissan Rogue and drove it around and he said no.
Steven said [WITNESS ] drove him to the store. I asked Steven if he had a firearm in his car and if he threatened people with that firearm and he said no.
I went and spoke with [WITNESS ]. [WITNESS ] said she and Steven went to the store. On the way back, [WITNESS ] said Steven saw a car in the parking lot next to the pool and wanted to go talk with the car. When they got next to the victim’s car, [WITNESS ] told me Steven told [VICTIM ] and [VICTIM ] that “we don’t do drugs down in here. I’m tired of people doing drugs down in here. If you’re not here to buy drugs you need to leave.” and [WITNESS ] then corrected it and said “If you’re here to buy drugs you need to leave.” Steven was waving the firearm around outside of the vehicle.
I once again asked if Steven ever said “Are you guys here to buy the green?” and [WITNESS ] could not remember. I asked [WITNESS ] if she or Steven use Marijuana and she said yes. I asked if there was any Marijuana in the vehicle and she said no. [WITNESS ] did not know where Steven put the firearm. [WITNESS ] gave us consent to her vehicle for the firearm.
I ed [WITNESS ]’s Nissan Rogue and I was unable to locate the firearm. Deputies went back and spoke with Steven. Steven admitted to having a black BB Gun and told us it was inside of the residence. I was told by other deputies they located the black BB gun hidden behind a computer in the kitchen area.
I placed Steven under arrest for two counts of Aggravated Assault against [VICTIM ] and [VICTIM ]. Steven was handcuffed, checked for proper fit, and his handcuffs were double locked. I placed Steven into the back of my county issued marked patrol vehicle and escorted Steven to the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center where he was turned over to the jail staff without incident.
Warrants were signed and obtained for two counts of Aggravated Assault. The BB Gun was made to resemble a real Glock 19 firearm and appears like a real firearm. I placed the BB Gun into evidence at the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office.
I made with [REDACTED] so she could advise her daughter [VICTIM ] and her daughter’s boyfriend [VICTIM ] that the subject that pointed the firearm at them both was located and was arrested.
[End of Narrative]