Hope McAlee

Name:
McAlee, Hope Leann

Date of Booking:
06/08/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
Arson in the first degree (Residence)

ENTERING AUTOMOBILE OR OTHER MOTOR VEHICLE WITH INTENT TO COMMIT THEFT OR FELONY (Article theft)

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 the date and times listed I Ofc World was dispatched to [100 BLOCK] Agnes St in regards to a structure fire.

Upon arrival fire was already on scene. I spoke with fire and a resident that lives in the building behind [100 BLOCK] Agnes. I was then advised they believe the fire may have started from a light in the dwelling. The resident that lived in the building behind advised her father/ the male that owns the property was not at home and the only one there was her sister. The resident advised she originally believed her sister started it due to once the fire started she left the dwelling and advised ghosts were talking. After speaking with the resident and not being able to locate the sister. I then left fire on scene due to the belief it was the light that ignited the fire.

Around 1100 on June 8, 2025 I was dispatched to [100 BLOCK] McHenry Dr in reference to a fight. I was advised the altercation started due to a male spotting a female attempting to take his vehicle. Upon arrival I spotted the male [VICTIM #1] and a female Hope Mcalee tangled on the ground. I separated both parties and was advised by Mr. [VICTIM #1] he was working inside of the building and heard a loud noise and looked out the window and spotted Mrs. Mcalee attempted to hot wire his vehicle. Mr. [VICTIM #1] then advised he yelled for her to get away from the vehicle and attempted to keep her on scene until our arrival.

Mrs. Mcalee advised her residence had recently caught on fire and she needed a vehicle to get to her niece’s baptism ceremony. I then placed Mrs. Mcalee under arrest for Entering Auto due to her entering the vehicle of another without their consent and attempting to Hotwire it so she could drive it to her niece’s baptism. Handcuffs were placed and double locked after checking for proper fitting and she was then read her rights. It’s to be noted I did a brief back hand search for weapons before placing her in the marked patrol vehicle.

Mrs. Mcalee appeared to be cycling in and out of a clear state of mind even advising she was over 100yrs old when I was attempting to identify her. Mcalee was sweating profusely and eyes rolling in a manner that resembled someone that was about to pass out. Seeing this, I then dispatched EMS to come clear her for transport. Around this time I was then able to identify Mrs. Mcalee as she was appearing to regain consciousness. Mrs. Mcalee was then verified to have history at the [100 BLOCK] Agnes St address. This being the same address that I previously went on for a structural fire, along with being the same location that Mrs. Mcalee recently advised caught on fire. EMS then cleared her for transport.

It’s to be noted that the vehicle she entered the dashboard under the steering wheel had been removed with a screwdriver, exposing the wires. Mr. [VICTIM #1] also gave the estimated value of the vehicle being $1500.

After identifying her the fire investigator then contacted me and advised she would like to meet Mrs. Mcalee. I then drove to [100 BLOCK] Agnes where the fire investigator advised the fire was intentionally started in two separate locations of the dwelling without permission from the owner, one being a bedroom undergoing repairs, the other being the only bathroom in the residence. The investigation also found that Mrs. Mcalee mentioned starting a fire 3 days prior. After the fire investigator asked if her rights were read she then attempted to ask Mrs. Mcalee some questions. Mrs. Mcalee appeared to be in a different state of mind mentally and was unable to maintain the conversation. I was then advised Mrs. Mcalee was the only person in the residence at the time.

I then transported Mrs. Mcalee to the Floyd County Jail for booking. Along the way it is to be noted Mrs. Mcalee appeared to be speaking to someone in the vehicle that was not there.

I then charged Mrs. Mcalee with entering auto for entering the vehicle of another without their permission in an attempt to deprive the vehicle from them. I also charged Arson in the 1st for the fire. This being due to her being the only one in the dwelling, the fire being intentionally started in two separate locations without permission of the owner by means of fire.

Fire Marshal/investigator Chewning advised their report number for this case would be 25-0003115

[End of Narrative]