Post by Shuftin on Nov 7, 2006 19:00:49 GMT -5
11/4/06
By ELIZABETH RICHARDSON
A former Grantville Police Officer, Kenneth "Kenny" Orr, 44, of Newnan, was arrested Wednesday on theft, drug and firearms charges by the Newnan Police after police linked him to thefts that were occurring at the Newnan-Coweta Ace Hardware, 11 Franklin Highway.
Orr faces charges following a search of his truck and the place where he had been staying for the last month, said Newnan Police detective Sgt. Elaine Jordan.
Orr's job as a Grantville Police officer was terminated in June 2005 after the agency conducted an internal investigation and verified allegations that he had committed conduct unbecoming of an officer, dereliction of duty and obstruction by leaving the scene of an accident, according to Chief Franklin Allen of the Grantville Police Department.
Orr was accused of obstruction after he wrecked his city patrol car into a tree while on duty and failed to report the incident, according to Allen. Orr did eventually make a report, and the damage to his vehicle ended up costing more than $500.
Before Orr was terminated, he happened to be the officer on duty who investigated a burglary at the West Georgia Regional Education Services Agency in the former Grantville Brown School in Grantville, said Allen.
"He was later found to be in possession of property that was reported missing from the school," said Allen.
An investigation into the matter was conducted. However, the case was dismissed by the Coweta Circuit District Attorney's office as a result of insufficient evidence, according to a spokesperson for the DA's office.
In mid-October of this year, the owner of Ace Hardware reported to the Newnan Police Department that several items were missing from the store, according to Jordan. The owner later concluded that the crime had been internal thefts that occurred between June 1 and Oct. 1. During that time, several items were taken of significant cost, according to Jordan.
After speaking with the owner of a local pawn shop, Jordan discovered that Orr had traded and sold numerous items that were reported stolen from Ace Hardware.
Jordan took warrants against Orr for seven counts of theft by receiving stolen property on Oct. 31 and served them Wednesday. Jordan found Orr in the parking lot of Ace Hardware.
After searching his truck, Orr was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony -- all in addition to the seven counts of theft by receiving.
Officers then searched the place he's been staying for the last month, which is located off LaGrange Street, and located more drugs, more stolen merchandise belonging to Ace Hardware and other items that police will not disclose at this point in the investigation.
"As a result of Detective Jordan's case, we will reopen our case and conduct a parallel investigation," said Chief Allen Thursday.
"This case is not over -- more charges are definitely pending," said Jordan.
drugpolicycentral.com/bot/article/content.times-herald4204.htm
By ELIZABETH RICHARDSON
A former Grantville Police Officer, Kenneth "Kenny" Orr, 44, of Newnan, was arrested Wednesday on theft, drug and firearms charges by the Newnan Police after police linked him to thefts that were occurring at the Newnan-Coweta Ace Hardware, 11 Franklin Highway.
Orr faces charges following a search of his truck and the place where he had been staying for the last month, said Newnan Police detective Sgt. Elaine Jordan.
Orr's job as a Grantville Police officer was terminated in June 2005 after the agency conducted an internal investigation and verified allegations that he had committed conduct unbecoming of an officer, dereliction of duty and obstruction by leaving the scene of an accident, according to Chief Franklin Allen of the Grantville Police Department.
Orr was accused of obstruction after he wrecked his city patrol car into a tree while on duty and failed to report the incident, according to Allen. Orr did eventually make a report, and the damage to his vehicle ended up costing more than $500.
Before Orr was terminated, he happened to be the officer on duty who investigated a burglary at the West Georgia Regional Education Services Agency in the former Grantville Brown School in Grantville, said Allen.
"He was later found to be in possession of property that was reported missing from the school," said Allen.
An investigation into the matter was conducted. However, the case was dismissed by the Coweta Circuit District Attorney's office as a result of insufficient evidence, according to a spokesperson for the DA's office.
In mid-October of this year, the owner of Ace Hardware reported to the Newnan Police Department that several items were missing from the store, according to Jordan. The owner later concluded that the crime had been internal thefts that occurred between June 1 and Oct. 1. During that time, several items were taken of significant cost, according to Jordan.
After speaking with the owner of a local pawn shop, Jordan discovered that Orr had traded and sold numerous items that were reported stolen from Ace Hardware.
Jordan took warrants against Orr for seven counts of theft by receiving stolen property on Oct. 31 and served them Wednesday. Jordan found Orr in the parking lot of Ace Hardware.
After searching his truck, Orr was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony -- all in addition to the seven counts of theft by receiving.
Officers then searched the place he's been staying for the last month, which is located off LaGrange Street, and located more drugs, more stolen merchandise belonging to Ace Hardware and other items that police will not disclose at this point in the investigation.
"As a result of Detective Jordan's case, we will reopen our case and conduct a parallel investigation," said Chief Allen Thursday.
"This case is not over -- more charges are definitely pending," said Jordan.
drugpolicycentral.com/bot/article/content.times-herald4204.htm