Joseph Duffie

Name of Accused:
DUFFIE, JOSEPH SCOTT

Date of Arrest:
07/05/2024


Charges For Arrest:
LOITERING/PROWLING
DIS. CONDUCT: PUBLIC DRUNK
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 07/05/2024
, at approximately 2058 hours, I (Ofc. Kennedy) was dispatched to 1460 US Hwy 27 (Steak ‘n Shake) regarding a suspicious individual approaching multiple vehicles and looking inside them. While en route to the location, dispatch advised that the subject wore a red shirt and tan pants. Dispatch added that the subject may have been on drugs during the incident. Dispatch noted the subject was taking things off tables outside the business.
Upon arrival, I made with an older white male wearing a red shirt and khaki pants. The subject, later identified as Joseph Duffie, had multiple plastic bags tied together and wrapped around his waist area. It should be noted that Joseph was previously at 1670 S Hwy 27 (Smoothie King), where witnesses observed him going up to different vehicles and asking for money. The witness also explained that Joseph was banging on business windows and acting suspiciously. I originally responded to this incident, and after multiple security checks of the area, Joseph could not be found.
I relocated Joseph to the front of my patrol vehicle for initial questioning. I explained to Joseph that we had multiple calls about him being outside businesses and harassing customers. I asked Joseph if he was at Smoothie King earlier. Joseph stated that he might have been but was unfamiliar with the area, so he was unsure. I asked Joseph why he was banging on the windows and taking things off tables in front of businesses. Joseph stated that he was not. I explained to Joseph that many people have called about him and stated otherwise.
While questioning, Joseph kept repeating himself. Due to his statements and actions, I asked Joseph if he minded that I ed him. Joseph consented to a of his persons. Nothing of interest was located. While ing him, I asked if he had anything to drink or was on any medication during the time of the incident. Joseph explained that he had smoked weed earlier. Due to Joseph admitting to smoking marijuana, his unrelated responses to my questions, and his behavior during the time of the incident, I had reason to believe that Joseph was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at this time. Joseph denied having any alcoholic beverage during the time of the incident. Joseph did state that he was released from jail two days prior due to having a beer in his possession.
After speaking with Joseph, I relocated to speak with a Steak ‘n Shake employee. The employee, later identified as [WITNESS ], stated that he was outside the business and had briefly come inside prior to my arrival. [WITNESS ] noted that several individuals were outside in the parking lot and had complained about Joseph looking into vehicles. I asked [WITNESS ] if Joseph was seeking business at Steak ‘n Shake. [WITNESS ] confirmed that Joseph was not there for business and did not order any food while at the location.
It should be noted that I spoke with two different complainants regarding the incident. The first one, later identified as [WITNESS ], stated that she observed Joseph going around banging on the front window of Smoothie King. [WITNESS ] stated that Joseph also banged on the drive-thru window of the business. [WITNESS ] added that Joseph was stopping customers coming through the drive-thru and harassing them. [WITNESS ] stated that she feared for the employees at Smoothie King so she suggested they lock the doors to the business due to Joseph actions. The second complainant, later identified as [WITNESS ], stated that she was exiting Steak ‘n Shake and observed Joseph going around to different cars and looking in them to see if anyone was there. [WITNESS ] stated that Joseph was making many people at the restaurant feel uncomfortable.
Due to multiple unbiased witnesses observing Joseph walking to different businesses and banging on the windows, taking things off tables, going up to vehicles, harassing customers, and not being at these establishments seeking business, Joseph was arrested and charged with Loitering and Prowling (C66-7(A)(23)).
Due to Joseph admitting he smoked marijuana prior to my arrival, stating unrelated responses to my questions, and acting erratically while officers were investigating, Joseph was arrested and charged with Disorderly Conduct – Public Drunk (C66-7(A)(21)).
Joseph was arrested, hands to the rear, handcuffs checked for fit. Joseph was transported to the rear of my vehicle and placed in the backseat. Joseph was transported to the Carroll County Jail and turned over to staff for booking.
[End of Narrative]