A Fayetteville man who could not seem to keep his hands off female customers while in two Peachtree City stores is now in custody.
Peachtree City police received multiple reports June 20 from victims who alleged that someone had touched them inappropriately while they were shopping. According to a statement released a day later by the department, three of the incidents took place inside Walmart between 1:15 and 2:15 p.m. while the other was at the Crosstown Kroger between 2:30 and 2:45 p.m.
In each case, the victim reported the incidents after the suspect had left the scene. Police investigated and found that another incident involving the same suspect had taken place in April at the Crosstown Kroger.
After what officials termed exceptional police work by officers and detectives, the suspect was identified as Isaiah Jamal Phillips, 28, of Fayetteville. He was subsequently arrested and charged with seven counts of sexual battery involving four different victims.
Police cited the cooperation of Walmart, Kroger and Publix stores as vital to the resolution of the investigation, providing helpful information as well as video evidence.
Elsewhere in the county, deputies noticed a vehicle driving in the area of Hwy. 279 and Kenwood Road in the wee hours of June 17 without headlights. At the ensuing traffic stop, the suspect rolled down his window and the odor of marijuana was immediately detected. Further investigation turned up an AR-style rifle stolen out of Henry County.
Wesley Gaines III, 26, of Jonesboro was charged with felony theft by receiving stolen property as well as marijuana possession and the headlight violation.
A motorist pulled over for a seat belt violation June 16 near Hwy. 92 South and Hampton Road gave the officer a false name to add to his other violations. Larry McNorton, 27, of Fayetteville faces a felony drug charge along with driving with a suspended license. A Fayette County Sheriff’s Office spokesman stated that once he was arrested, Peachtree City police asked that he be held related to a shoplifting charge.
A traffic stop was ordered June 16 at Hwy. 85 and Oak Hill Drive due on a vehicle with suspended registration and no insurance. It was inventoried before it was impounded, and marijuana was found along with a firearm. Jasmine Strode, 26, of Atlanta faces felony charges for the drugs and the weapon.
@vics1966 It takes a good man to admit he was wrong and to apologize. A Better woman to make him see the wrong.
Thank your wife for me.
I’m just an unfiltered old gnome.
My wife agreed that it was insensitive, and I apologize.
Mr. Whipple says,” Don’t squeeze the Charmin”…no matter how charmin’.
Attempted humor and making light of a very serious report of multiple sexual battery attempts on women within our community is pretty sophomoric. Check that. It’s plain wrong.
Point taken.