From STAFF REPORTS

CORDELE — Responding to a call about random shots being fired in the Morningside Apartments area last Friday, Cordele Police Department officers arrested two teen-agers on a multitude of charges.

Ptl. Erica Cromer said that while en route to the scene she, too, heard gunfire and that after arriving in the vicinity saw two male subjects attempting to leave the playground area.

Based upon a clothing description radioed to fellow officers, both subjects were later apprehended and a .20-gauge shotgun they were allegedly firing was found stashed into a garbage can.

One of the suspects was identified as Anthony White, 17, of 405 21st Ave. W. The other is a juvenile whose age wasn’t indicated on media reports since officers were unable to question him because his mother refused to come to the police department.

Both White and the juvenile have been charged with discharging a firearm within the city limits, possession of a dangerous weapon, discharge of a firearm on another’s property, criminal trespass, reckless conduct and possession of tools for the commission of a crime.

White faces an additional charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

— Filed shoplifting charges against Maritza Sanchez, 40, of 175 Simmons Dairy Rd., and Jessenia Eire, 18, of 175 Sirmons Rd., who allegedly attempted to steal an assortment of items valued at $194.66 from Wal-Mart.

A similar case was made against two juveniles who allegedly stole candy from Dollar General’s Seventh St. S. location.— Made a lone arrest for probation violation.

Cpl. Christina Martinez cited Martika Marie Whitehead, 19, of 1909 Sheppard Dr. with that offense after she was stopped by a Georgia State Patrol trooper for two traffic vioiations.

— Investigated four theft reports the most serious of which involved the disappearance of almost $4,000 from a 16th Avenue loan company where officials suspect an ex-employee as the culprit.

Lt. Frank Wise said he was told it will be sometime this week before an exact amount can be determined, but additional missing funds are a possibility. The case will be turned over to the detective division when a complete report is filed by the company.

An employee of Watson Food Store told Cpl. Christina Martinez that an elderly white male driving a white late model Toyota SUV failed to pay for $37.82 worth of gasoline pumped into his vehicle just before 1:30 p.m. Sunday.

A resident of the Woodstone Apartments told Pvt. David Haas that a Clarion brand radio valued at $650 has been taken from his disabled truck. The vehicle’s dash was damaged as was the paint job and door handle on the passenger side.