‘Officer, we were running with that chair because it’s a scavenger hunt’

A group of young people who were apparently having some harmless fun found themselves in a brief conversation with Peachtree City police due to witnesses concluding that their actions were a bit suspicious.

According to reports, an officer responded April 15 at around 8 p.m. to the Fresh Market on North Peachtree Parkway after a complainant saw a group of teenagers go inside the store, run out with a chair and get into an SUV. Store management was not able to access security video but the suspects were also seen driving toward the nearby Chick-fil-A.

When officers met up with the alleged ne’er-do-wells there, they were told that the teens were taking part in a scavenger hunt and one of their tasks was to take a photo inside Fresh Market with a lawn chair. The driver of the SUV said the group had brought the chair with them, walked inside to take the photo, and then left the store.

There were no arrests or citations.

Elsewhere in Peachtree City, officers were dispatched April 13 shortly before midnight to a hit-and-run collision involving a pedestrian on Hwy. 54 at MacDuff Parkway. A few minutes later a traffic stop was made nearby for a vehicle matching the description of the one involved in the incident. The investigation confirmed that it was the same vehicle and the driver was arrested.

Alexander Garcia, 19, of McDonough faces two felony counts related to driving under the influence during the collision and leaving the scene, according to the Fayette County Jail log. He also was charged with DUI of drugs and two traffic violations.

A traffic stop took place April 12 at about 1:45 p.m. on Hwy. 54 near the Sprouts farmers market. The driver of a white Ford F-150 pulling a trailer was seen by police with several traffic violations. An investigation revealed that he was in possession of methamphetamine, according to a police report.

Danny Sandoval, 42, of Hampton was arrested and faces a felony drug charge as well as possession/use of drug-related objects, marijuana possession, and three traffic violations.

In the early-morning hours of April 16 an officer on patrol saw a vehicle going southbound on Hwy. 74 whose registered owner was wanted by Acworth police for shoplifting. A traffic stop confirmed that the driver of the car was that person: Nishika Walker, 35, who was arrested and taken to the Fayette County Jail.