Making traffic stops, stopping crime

In their diligence to make sure motorists obey traffic laws, local law enforcement officers keep the community safe from a great deal of potential trouble. That is because officers routinely stop motorists for basic traffic violations that lead to felony arrests on unrelated matters.

In other words, a lot of guys could keep driving around with their guns and drugs if they just paid more attention to the road. Three such examples were revealed by Fayette County Sheriff’s Office deputies in the past few days.

The first case resulted from a March 13 traffic stop at Hwy. 85 and Hwy. 279. The reason was a simple turn signal/brake light violation. But a deputy approaching the vehicle smelled marijuana and ultimately found a felony amount of it, along with a firearm. Shondale Collins, 22, of Newnan found himself under arrest for the drug and weapon charges, both felonies, as well as the traffic violation.

The second case involved someone who wasn’t even driving. A March 13 traffic stop at Ginger Cake Road and Hood Avenue also produced a noticeable odor of marijuana, although not enough to result in criminal charges. The passenger in the vehicle, however had a weapon and was a convicted felon. Alvin Hardy, 47, of Fayetteville was arrested on that charge, which is a felony.

The third case came about due to excessive windshield tint, which has snared numerous suspects in recent months. This time it led to a March 14 traffic stop at Hwy. 279 and Mayfair Lane. Like the other two cases, there was a marijuana odor coming from the car and a firearm found inside it. DeAngelo Jordan, 35, of Conyers was arrested for possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and the traffic violation.

Elsewhere in the county, deputies responded March 11 to a residence on Woodside Blvd. in the Kenwood Landing trailer park off Milam Road. The report indicated that two brothers had gotten into a fight over one of them not respecting the other. The suspect took a shovel and damaged a vehicle with it, and he was also found to have marijuana hidden in his underwear.

Daniel White, 33, of Fayetteville was arrested and charged with criminal damage to property in the second degree, a felony, along with misdemeanor marijuana possession.