Thomas Green

Name:
Green, Thomas Lankford

Date of Booking:
10/1/2021

Reason(s) For Booking:
FLEEING OR ATTEMPTING TO ELUDE A POLICE OFFICER FOR A FELONY OFFENSE

RECKLESS DRIVING

Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the officer’s narrative report. We do not fix any spelling or grammatical errors. Any changes made by our staff are placed inside brackets.]

On 10/01/2021 at approximately 1021 hours I observed a blue and white motorcycle accelerate at a high rate of speed, southbound, on Ga Spur 25 from the light at Canal Road. The motorcycle was approximately 4 cars in front of me so I was not able to obtain an accurate estimation of speed. I changed from the right lane to left lane to have a better line of sight on the motorcycle to see if it was going to continue to drive at a high rate of speed.

Upon doing so it appeared that the motorcycle’s front tire was coming from a wheelie based on the weight transfer and positioning of the motorcycle that was visible from my position. The motorcycle then approached the intersection of Ga Spur 25 and Chapel Crossing Road. The motorcycle entered the left turn lane to turn onto Chapel Crossing and pulled in behind another vehicle that was stopped for the red light.

The motorcycle then entered the painted gore and drove around the vehicle that was stopped for the red light and ran the red light. Upon doing so I was able to obtain a better look at the motorcycle which appeared to be a Suzuki GSXR and the Rider was wearing a black in color “Green’s Refrigeration” shirt. I was to far behind the vehicle to see if the motorcycle had a tag.

I then activated my emergency equipment and attempted to catch up the motorcycle to conduct a traffic stop. As the traveled east on Chapel Crossing Road I observed that it was again traveling at a very high rate of speed. Based on my training and experience I estimated the speed to be a nearly double the posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour. The vehicle passed multiple vehicle on Chapel Crossing and then turned right onto Altama Avenue.

The vehicle then turned left onto Kensington Driver at which point I was no longer able to see the vehicle. Due to the distance between myself and the vehicle I was uncertain if the driver ever knew I was behind him attempting to conduct a traffic stop. I deactivated my emergency equipment and began to search the neighborhood for the vehicle. Another officer then advised via radio communications to check [120 BLOCK] McDowell Road because the owner of Green’s Refrigeration resides there.

As I responded to the area I observed a Green’s Refrigeration work van leaving the area. Ofc. Shipskie and I conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and I approached the driver and identified him as [REDACTED]. I asked [REDACTED] who rides the GSXR to which he responded his father, who lives a [120 BLOCK] McDowell, has a few of them. [REDACTED] was wearing a dark blue shirt and I was not close enough to the motorcycle to identify any descriptors of the driver to determine if [REDACTED] was the driver.

[REDACTED] claimed that his dad was asleep and he was not riding his motorcycle. [REDACTED] was visible nervous and advised that he just does not like police and that he was scared because he though he may have a warrant. A GCIC inquiry was ran on [REDACTED] and he had a valid license and no warrants. [REDACTED]’s information was saved and he was released from the stop.

Ofc. Shipskie and I then relocated to [120 BLOCK] McDowell Road. I knocked on the front door and was greeted by [REDACTED]. I asked if he was just out riding his blue GSXR. He advised that he was just asleep. When asked who would be out riding his motorcycle he advised that no one should be. He offered to show us his motorcycles in the back. I walked around to rear of the house and was shown a number of motorcycles in a garage. None of the motorcycles were warm to the touch.

I then observed another motorcycle on the other side of the yard. The motorcycle was a blue and white GSXR-1000 that resembled the one I had seen earlier. The motorcycle had the lights on and the key was in the ignition and it was warm to the touch. I asked REDACTED who’s motorcycle it was. He advise that it was his son’s who I stopped earlier in the work van. I attempted to run the VIN number due to the fact no tag was displayed on the motorcycle and was advised that the VIN did not come back registered. When asked where he son was going, REDACTED advised that he was going to Starbucks to get coffee and that he would be back soon.

A few moments later Thomas (Jr.) arrived back at the house. I approached Thomas (Jr.) and asked if he had anything to tell me. Thomas (Jr.) admitted that he was the one of the motorcycle earlier. He initially said he did not know why he ran but later said he was afraid he had warrants and he did not want to get any more tickets because he was still paying for traffic citations he had received in the past. Thomas (Jr.) admitted that he did know I was attempting to catch up to him to stop him for the traffic light violation.

I then advised Thomas (Jr.) that he was under arrest, placed him in double-locking handcuffs. As I was placing Thomas (Jr.) in handcuffs Sgt. Jones #149, and speaking to REDACTED about his sons charges. I advised the speeds were over 100 miles per hour in a 35 mile per hour zone on Chapel Crossing road so it would be a felony. Thomas (Jr) then made the spontaneous utterance that he speedometer said he was doing 98 miles per hour.

Thomas (Jr) was then searched him and placed him in the rear seat of my patrol car. He was then transported to the Glynn County Detention Center where he was issued a citation for reckless driving and released to jail staff. A warrant for fleeing and eluding has been drafted and placed in the designated location at headquarters.

Noting further at this time.