James Trueluck

Name of Accused:
Trueluck, James

Date of Arrest:
09/06/2024

Charges For Arrest:
THEFT BY TAKING – ALL OTHER THEFT MISDEMEANOR
CRIMINAL TRESPASSING – PHYSICAL TRESPASS
PUBLIC INDECENCY-1ST OR 2ND CONVICTION – MISDEMEANOR
LOITERING OR PROWLING
FINANCIAL TRANSACTION CARD THEFT
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 the above date at approximately 11:38pm while performing a patrol of 9740 Main Street at the Dollar Tree, I observed a male, later identified as James Trueluck, who was at the front of the business. I did not recognize James from my usual zone patrols and knew that all of the businesses in the area had been closed for several hours. As I approached James in my patrol vehicle, James moved behind one of the support pillars for the overhead metal cover to shield himself from me. I exited my patrol vehicle and asked James what he was doing here. He stated “”.I saw that his pants were hanging low and I could see his pubic hair. I asked where was he using the bathroom at and he stated””. I then looked down near James and saw a pile of human feces on the sidewalk in front of the Dollar Tree.
I asked James if he had any identification on him and he stated that he did but he did not remember which pocket it was in. I asked if he had any weapons on him and he stated that he had a knife. I asked if I could search him for weapons and he stated that I could. A knife with a serrated blade and black handle was found in his back pocket. As I searched James, I could smell the overwhelming odor of human feces. Nothing else of note was found during the search. I saw more clothes next to the wall of the Dollar Tree where James was standing. I asked James if those clothes were his and he stated that they were. I asked if I could search the clothes and he stated that I could. In a blue hoodie, a hole was present in the hood area of the hoodie and a black zipper handbag was located. Within the handbag were several bank cards, an Louisiana license, a social security card, health insurance cards, and a passport identification card belonging to an “[VICTIM #1]”. There was also a Texas drivers license belonging to a [VICTIM #2]”. James stated that those were his aunt’s. I also found a Decatur prisoner identification card for James. I handed the Decatur identification card to my backup officer and asked him to run James’ information.
I continued to talk to James and asked him where he was coming from tonight. He stated that he swallowed weed and then began to make several other incoherent comments that did not make sense. I asked him when did he get out of Decatur jail and he stated two months ago. I asked what he got arrested for and he stated that it was a misdemeanor. I asked what the misdemeanor charge was and he stated that he could not remember. James continued to then make other incoherent comments and statements. I then decided to place James under arrest for Public Indecency and Criminal Trespass for being partially nude when I arrived, as well as him admitting to using the bathroom in public while next to a pile of human feces.
I placed James in handcuffs, ensuring proper fit and double-locking the handcuffs. I then secured him in the rear of my patrol vehicle with a seatbelt, checking for contraband before doing so, none of which being found. My backup officer then informed me that James has had prior arrests for entering an auto charges. I took the found property that was located that belonged to [VICTIM #2] and [VICTIM #1] and took them into evidence. I believe it is reasonable to believe that it is unreasonable for James to be in possession of all of [VICTIM #1]’s information and documents with her knowledge for any kind of safekeeping or her allowing him to be in possession of critical identification documents.
James was transported to the Cherokee ADC without incident. When Cherokee County Deputies removed him from my vehicle, I checked the rear of my patrol vehicle for any contraband, none of which was found. I later had Dispatch contact the on duty supervisors for the relevant jurisdictions of [VICTIM #1] and [VICTIM #2] and request that they make contact in order to confirm whether or not they are familiar with James and if he was allowed to be in possession of their property.
Warrants are to be taken for Public Indecency, Criminal Trespass, Theft by Taking, and FTC Theft.
[End of Narrative]