Huzzah! I am now on the list to receive Decatur police updates. I’m working on a longer piece about crime in the city, the good and the bad. It isn’t a never-ending reign of terror out there, people. It isn’t all sunshine and sugar cokes either.

Here’s how I’m going to handle cop stuff. I believe you’re innocent until proven guilty. I will omit the names of all suspects, unless it’s a public official or Charlie Sheen.

Notable item this week: Decatur Police caught someone they think has been breaking into cars. Speaking as someone who has had to fix a broken car window, twice, that’s welcome news.

Without further ado ….

– On 07/25/13 at approximately 2:25 pm, a Decatur officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with a temporary tag displaying no information. A check of the vehicle identification number showed the vehicle stolen out of Woodstock, GA. Further investigation revealed an active arrest warrant for fraud out of Cherokee County for a passenger in the vehicle. The fraud warrant was related to the stolen vehicle. The passenger, identified as a 24-year-old resident of DeKalb County, was arrested for theft by receiving stolen property and held for the outstanding warrant. The driver was not charged.

– On 07/28/13 at approximately 3:54 pm, Decatur officers were dispatched to the intersection of North Arcadia Road and East Ponce de Leon Avenue in reference to an assault. Further investigation revealed a domestic assault occurred. As officers attempted to take the suspect into custody, he attempted to flee and then resist officers. One officer deployed OC spray (pepper spray) and the suspect was taken into custody. The suspect, identified as a 35-year-old resident of Cobb County, was arrested and charged with simple battery (family violence) and obstruction of a law enforcement officer.

– On 08/03/13 at approximately 1:00 am, a Decatur officer conducted a traffic stop in the 1000 block of Scott Boulevard for headlight requirement. The officer smelled marijuana coming from inside of the vehicle. Further investigation revealed the driver to be in possession of suspected psilocybin mushrooms and suspected marijuana as well as a set of scales, packaging materials and a taser. The driver, identified as a 19-year-old resident of Chamblee, was arrested and charged with VGCSA  (Editor’s note: I’m told this means Violation of Georgia Controlled Substances Act.) trafficking, VGCSA possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm/taser during the commission of a crime. (Editor’s skepticism: For having a taser? Really?)

– On 08/03/13 at approximately 3:40 am, Decatur officers responded to the 300 block of Lamont Drive in reference to multiple entering autos. The complainant/witness reported seeing the suspect enter three vehicles and confronting him, at which time the suspect fled on foot. An officer located the suspect on Vidal Boulevard along with another entered vehicle. The suspect, identified as an 18-year-old resident of Decatur, was arrested and charged with multiple counts of entering auto.

– On 08/04/13 at approximately 2:00 am, Decatur officers were conducting a sobriety checkpoint in the 700 block of Scott Boulevard. An officer smelled marijuana coming from inside a vehicle stopped at the checkpoint. Further investigation revealed the driver to be in possession of hydrocodone pills (whole and crushed), a Xanax bar and suspected marijuana. The driver, identified as a 21-year-old resident of DeKalb County, was arrested and charged with VGCSA possession (hydrocodone), VGCSA possession (Xanax) and VGCSA possession marijuana less than an ounce.