A Rincon man was killed in a motorcycle crash Wednesday evening while trying to elude police.
Rincon Police Chief Phillip Scholl said Robert Sciria, 32, was killed after an officer attempted a traffic stop on Ga. 21.
The officer had spotted the motorcycle speeding south on Ga. 21, near the Krystal restaurant.
Sciria then took off at an even “higher” rate of speed, Scholl said.
“Sciria then turned onto the frontage road at Westwood Heights and hit an embankment,” Scholl said.
Scholl said the officer was not close to the motorcycle at the time of the crash.
“The pursuit never really got underway,” Scholl said. “The officer couldn’t even give a description of the motorcycle.”
Scholl did not have information about speeds reached in the accident.
Teen pleads guilty in 2011 Pooler homicide
A 19-year-old man has pleaded guilty to his involvement in the September 2011 armed robbery and death of Timothy Moore in Pooler.
As part of a negotiated plea by the state, Shareif Bernard Palmer pleaded to voluntary manslaughter, armed robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and making a false statement, said Daniel Baxter, spokesman for the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office.
Palmer was by Chatham County Superior Court Judge Michael Karpf sentenced to 15 years with 10 to be served without parole.
Palmer and co-defendant Aaron Isaiah Sadm, 19, allegedly plotted to rob Moore, 27, whom they knew. The two teens had observed Moore with money and got co-defendant Nathaniel Quinton Betterton, 20, to agree to the armed robbery then gave him a gun to use, Baxter said.
Palmer and Sadm lured Moore to an isolated wooded area of South Rogers Street in Pooler, where Betterton approached and reportedly demanded all three give up their property at gunpoint.
Moore resisted the armed robbery, and Betterton shot him as he tried to resist, Baxter said.
Moore’s body was found the next day.
The state was represented by Assistant District Attorney Isabel Pauley and the lead detective on the case was Pooler police Sgt. Randy Lindler.
Apartment fire displaces two Metropolitan families
An apartment fire in Savannah’s Metropolitan neighborhood Tuesday evening displaced two families, according to the Red Cross.
Four adults and eight children were displaced from their apartments at 212 W. 33rd St., said Esther Sheppard, spokeswoman for the American Red Cross Southeast Georgia Chapter.
Fire broke out in the upstairs unit about 7:25 p.m., said Mark Keller, Savannah Fire & Emergency Services spokesman.
Investigators have since determined that the blaze, which mostly destroyed the upstairs apartment and much of the roof, was an accident sparked by a lit candle.
Two children, ages 4 and 16, who lived upstairs were taken to Candler Hospital for treatment of minor smoke inhalation, Keller said.
Two adults and four children lived in the upstairs apartment, Keller said. The fire was contained to that part of the building.
The Red Cross is providing both families with funds for food, seasonal garments and clothing, and will further assist them with funds for prescriptions. The owner of the apartment building is providing them with a place to stay, Sheppard said. The apartments, said Keller, are owned by neighboring St. Paul CME Church.
Police seek gas station robbery attempt suspect
Savannah-Chatham police investigators are searching for a gunman who attempted to rob a Savannah gas station Saturday morning.
The man entered the BP gas station at East DeRenne Avenue and Bull Street about 10:30 a.m. and pretended to shop before approaching employees and stating he needed money several times, said Eunicia Baker, police spokesman. After the employees refused, the suspect fled on foot. He was last seen traveling was on DeRenne.
Baker described the gunman as a white male in his 30s with a slender to medium build. She said he was about 5-foot-10 and was last seen with a scruffy, red beard.
Anyone with information on this suspect’s identity is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 912-234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637) using the keyword CSTOP2020. Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.
A confidential tip line open directly to investigators is also available at 912-525-3124.
‘Suspicious death’ investigated in Effingham
A man was found dead in a residence in the 200 block of Badger Road in Effingham County on Wednesday morning.
The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office is calling the death “suspicious.”
“There are some things that look at little out of place to us at this time,” said sheriff’s spokesman David Ehsanipoor said. “But it’s too early to call it a homicide.”
Ehsanipoor said more would be known after the autopsy is performed today at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s crime lab in Savannah.
“It’s early on in the investigation,” Ehsanipoor said. “It will take some time to get answers.”
The name of the victim was being withheld Wednesday pending notification of family.
Chatham Youth Commission celebrates Teen Driver Safety Week
The Chatham County Youth Commission, in partnership with the Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team, will kick off National Teen Driver Safety Week by hosting a driving clinic for county high school students with valid permits.
Instructors from Fear This Inc. will teach driving skills in a course scheduled from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Savannah Civic Center ballroom. The interactive portion of the course will be March 1 at Groves High School in Garden City. Pre-registration is required at fearthis4life.org. Tuition is $125.
Bridge cleanup from last week’s weather starts today
Georgia Department of Transportation maintenance crews have scheduled sweeping on Chatham County bridges today and Friday to remove materials placed during last week’s winter weather.
The Diamond Causeway and Moon River bridges on Ga. 204 spur, Thunderbolt Bridge, Turner Creek Bridge and the Bull River Bridge on U.S. 80 are all scheduled to be swept, weather permitting.
The slow-moving operation may affect traffic at times, and motorists should expect minor delays, said Jill Nagel, DOT spokeswoman.
Compiled by DeAnn Komanecky, Dash Coleman Corey Dickstein and Marcus E. Howard
CHATHAM COUNTY BOOKED
To see pictures and details for individuals serving their initial incarceration in Chatham County, as reported by the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, go to booked.savannahnow.com.