From STAFF REPORTS

CORDELE —An employee of the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office jail staff has told Investigator Karlie Stowe she continues to be stalked by a subject already convicted and jailed for that offense.

The victim said that on Nov. 10 she was on duty when she received a telephone call from Adrian Deon Austin, who is currently housed at Hays State Prison in Trion.

“Don’t be mad,” he reportedly told her. “Don’t act like you won a million dollars when you find out who this is,” he added before revealing his identity to the jailer who immediately hung up the phone and called Stowe.

A check with officials at the prison in Trion led to a cell “shakedown” that resulted in the recovery of a contraband cellular phone that had been smuggled into the cell where Austin is being held.

The phone was “locked” to avoid detection of any numbers called but a week later Austin provided the un-lock code. A check of calls made showed the local jail telephone had been called on the date and time the complaint was made to Stowe.

Austin also reportedly admitted to prison officials he had made the call and as the result a warrant has been requested against him for the offense of stalking after prior conviction.

In other recent sheriff’s department activity, deputies:

— Investigated several theft complaints.

Fishing gear valued at almost $1,000 was reported stolen between Nov. 12-14 from a boat parked at the home of a South Joe Wright Drive resident. The victim told Deputy Willie Williams his losses included 11 fishing reels and rods, a depth finder and a tackle box.

A resident of 2200 block of Ga. Hwy. 257 N. told Deputy Randall Smith that hunting bows valued at $225 were removed from a barn on her property sometime between Oct. 31-Nov. 14.

A U.S. 280 West resident told Deputy Williams on Nov. 1 that a subject she named had confessed last Fall to stealing some of her personal checks. The complainant estimated that 20 checks were taken and possibly forged in an amount totaling $2,817.64. The suspect already is incarcerated here on other charges. Investigation into the forgery incident continues.

A Lakeshore Way resident reported to Deputy Scott Hawkins that an assortment of items valued at an estimated $500 was taken from his property on Nov. 17 without authorization. They were removed by a green Chevrolet pickup truck driver who reportedly sold at least some of the items. Further investigation by Deputy Avery Hillman led to the arrests of Matthew Beard, 18, and Christy M. Sills, 18, both of a 297 Ray Rd. address, on charges of theft by taking.

Deputy Tammera Sears said the manager of KOA Campground located on Rockhouse Rd. asked to meet with her in reference to the theft of money between Aug. 17-Nov. 19 by a former employee.