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Name:
Smith, Kuat Zhaylauhan
Date of Booking:
09/15/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
Disorderly Conduct
Criminal Trespass
Giving False Name/dob/address To Officers
Reckless Driving
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 September 15, 2026, while officers were on scene at Walmart, located at 1569 North Expressway, Griffin, Georgia, investigating an unrelated incident, I, MPO M. Towns #3733, along with OFC. M. Harper #4223, was approached by a passerby who reported a male operating a blue power scooter recklessly throughout the Walmart parking lot. The passerby stated that the male had been doing donuts in the parking lot, making lewd gestures, displaying his middle finger toward other persons, and otherwise causing a disturbance.
While speaking with the passerby, I observed the male operating the scooter in the parking lot. I witnessed the male disregard a posted stop sign on the private property and continue through the Walmart and adjoining plaza parking lots at a high rate of speed. I observed the male maneuvering in and out of vehicle traffic and around vehicles traveling through the parking lot.
I then observed the male stop near the end of one of the parking aisles and display his middle finger toward another person. The male then accelerated at a high rate of speed down the primary travel corridor directly in front of the storefronts. While doing so, the male came close to striking several pedestrians. I observed children among the pedestrians present in the area at the time.
The male subsequently left that immediate area of the parking lot. Based upon my observations, I entered my patrol vehicle and made contact with the male near the end of the parking lot. I immediately detained him pending further investigation.
I attempted to identify the male, at which time he provided the last name Smith and identified his first name as “Yerik.” Another officer who was still investigating the unrelated incident recognized the male from a previous encounter. Further investigation determined that the male had provided a false first name and that his actual identity was Kuat Smith, a 24-year-old Asian male.
Upon confirming Smith’s identity, I determined that Smith had previously been criminally trespassed from Walmart on multiple occasions and had previously been arrested for criminal trespass at the location in 2021 and 2022. Smith had previously been advised not to return to the Walmart property. I personally observed Smith operating the scooter on Walmart property during this incident.
Based upon my observations and the subsequent investigation, Smith was placed under arrest and charged with the following:
O.C.G.A. 16-11-39 – Disorderly Conduct
O.C.G.A. 16-7-21(b) – Criminal Trespass
O.C.G.A. 16-10-25 – Giving False Name, Address, or Birthdate to a Law Enforcement Officer
O.C.G.A. 40-6-390 – Reckless Driving
Smith was searched incident to arrest, secured in the rear seat of my patrol vehicle, and transported by the most direct route to the Spalding County Jail without incident. Upon arrival, Smith was turned over to jail staff for processing and further disposition.
Smith’s vehicle was identified as a blue Magnum 50 scooter displaying no license plate. The VIN displayed on the scooter was [REDACTED]. Due to Smith being under arrest and the scooter being stopped within a primary travel lane, Crown Towing responded to the scene. Crown Towing subsequently took possession of the scooter and removed it from the property.
Warrants will be obtained for the above-listed charges, and a supplemental report will be completed documenting the warrant process and any additional information related to this investigation.
My department-issued body-worn camera was activated during this incident and the footage was uploaded in accordance with Griffin Police Department policy.
[End of Narrative]