Written by L. Chase
Published October 25, 2022 @ 6:45PM ET
Coweta County (October 9, 2022) – A Newnan man, identified as Tanner Hand, 25, is in police custody after stabbing a part-time security officer in the hand following a report of a shoplifting at Dillard’s.
The officer chased Hand from Dillard’s through the Ashley Park shopping center. Upon the security officer’s attempt to apprehend Hand, the suspect started to run from the officer on foot. The officer was able to catch and partially detain Hand.
A Newnan police officer en route to a traffic accident diverted to assist the security officer. When additional officers arrived at the scene, they saw the security officer on the ground, with the suspect trying to get his hands free of the officer’s grasp.
The assisting officer reports that he observed blood on the ground, the security officer, and the suspect. The security officer received a stab wound, just below the wrist line, from a knife while detaining the suspect.
While police conducted a search of the individual upon arrest, they found a suspected Xanax pill and psilocybin mushrooms. Also, in Hand’s possession before the arrest was multiple bags that appeared to contain merchandise in question regarding the report of shoplifting.
The items were returned to the store, which confirmed they were stolen and totaled a felony theft amount of $1,464.98
Hand was transported to the Coweta County jail and charged with aggravated assault, theft by shoplifting, obstruction, possession of a Schedule I substance, and possession of a Schedule IV substance.
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On 09 October 2022, an officer working a part time security job at a local business attempted to apprehend an individual suspected of shoplifting.
When the officer made contact with the subject the individual attempted to flee the officer on foot. The officer was able to catch the individual and gain physical detention of the subject. During the officers attempt to gain control of the individual, the officer received an injury from a knife that the subject had in his possession.
The subject was arrested and during the search incident to arrest, the subject was found to have in his possession, suspected Xanax and Psilocybin. Also in the subject’s possession prior to the arrest, he had multiple bags that contained merchandise that appeared to have been the items in question in regards to the shoplifting.
The items were returned to the store and confirmed to be stolen, totalling a felony amount of product value. During the altercation, the subject also attained minor injuries, therefore he was transported to the hospital for clearance prior to being transported to Coweta County Jail for booking.
[End of Narrative]