In a continued effort to keep the streets safe and teens out of trouble, Burke County Sheriff Alfonzo Williams has teamed up with the Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI) to develop a comprehensive antigang initiative. Last week, the sheriff visited GBI Headquarters where he sat down with Legal Services Director Mike Carlson to begin development of the plan.

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FROM THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE

An Augusta man was arrested Thursday following a pursuit in Burke County. Christopher Weston, 29, was charged with felony entering an auto to commit a theft, felony fleeing and attempting to elude, obstruction of a law enforcement officer and nine traffic citations, including DUI (drugs) and hit and run. Burke County deputies responded to St. Mary’s Catholic Church on the 3000 block of Stoney Bluff Road around 9:26 a.m. in reference to a robbery in progress, according to the sheriff’s office.

A 68-year-old woman told deputies she was cleaning headstones around the church when she was approached by Weston, asking for directions. According to the sheriff’s office, the woman became suspicious and saw Weston running from her vehicle towards Stoney Bluff Road with her purse.

Weston got in a black Jeep Cherokee and fled. Georgia State Patrol initiated a chase on Millhaven Road. The chase ended in a wooded area off McCannan Church Road when Weston crashed his vehicle into a tree and ran away, according to the sheriff’s office

A K-9 unit was deployed to begin tracking Weston. After an hour, Weston was found hiding in a swampy area near a pond, trying to camouflage himself using mud and vegetation.

He is being held at the Burke County Detention Center.

Burke County Sheriff’s Office K-9s Juna and Leo, pictured with BCSO Sheriff Alfonzo Williams and Chief Deputy Lewis Blanchard, now have their new LOF Defense Systems ballistic vests, which were donated via the Georgia Police K-9 Foundation. Each vest is custom made to the specific measurements of the K-9 in order to provide the best possible protection from a gunshot.

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It’s starting to look like a house. The Grubisa family proudly welcomed folks to view their soon- to-be home in Blythe last week. Thanks to the efforts of friends, including the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, the Build a Home for Christopher project is continuing to progress. According to BCSO Chief Deputy Lewis Blanchard, a total of $76,000 has been raised

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