TPD ARRESTS JUVENILES FOR CAR THEFT

 THOMASTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF

Chief Michael Richardson

For Immediate Release: Contact: Chief Mike Richardson

July 8, 2026 Thomaston Police Department 

mrichardson@cityofthomaston.com 

706-647-5455

 

PRESS RELEASE

Thomaston Police Arrest Two Juveniles Following Stolen Vehicle Investigation

The Thomaston Police Department has arrested two juveniles, ages 12 and 15, in connection 

with the theft of a vehicle during the early morning hours of Monday, July 6, 2026. Charges are 

also pending against a third juvenile believed to be involved.

At approximately 2:37 a.m., officers responded to the 300 block of 6th Avenue after a gray 2011 

Kia Optima was reported stolen. A BOLO was immediately issued to surrounding law 

enforcement agencies.

Just over an hour later, a Thomaston Police officer and an Upson County Sheriff's deputy located 

the stolen vehicle near 300 Avenue F (Farview Apartments). When officers attempted to stop the 

vehicle, three suspects fled on foot.

A coordinated search by the Thomaston Police Department and Upson County Sheriff's Office 

resulted in the arrest of two juveniles. Investigators later identified a third juvenile involved, and 

additional charges are pending. The vehicle was recovered with damage to the steering column 

consistent with it being unlawfully taken.

These arrests follow a recent increase in entering auto incidents and vehicle thefts throughout the 

City of Thomaston. Over the past 60 days, the Thomaston Police Department has investigated 

approximately 22 entering auto incidents and 5 vehicle thefts, with Kia vehicles being 

specifically targeted.

As part of this ongoing investigation, investigators have also arrested 22-year-old Darrell 

Hussey, who is charged with the following:

-(11) counts of Criminal Damage to Property

-(9) counts of Criminal Attempt of Motor Vehicle Theft

-(11) counts of Entering Auto

-(2) counts of Theft by Taking Motor Vehicle

-(1) count of Possession of Firearm During the Commission of a Crime

-(2) counts of Conspiracy to Commit a Crime

-(1) count of Loitering and Prowling

-(1) count of False Name

-(1) count of Possession of Tools for the Commission of a Crime

THOMASTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF

Chief Michael Richardson

Investigators believe Hussey is associated with the juveniles involved, as well as a larger group 

believed to be responsible for these crimes.

The Criminal Investigations Division has worked diligently over the past 2 months to identify 

those responsible, and additional arrests are expected.

The Thomaston Police Department would like to thank the Upson County Sheriff's Office for 

their assistance. This investigation remains active, and anyone with information related to recent 

entering auto incidents or veh

BIG RIG OVERTURNED IN UPSON CO

 UPSON  COUNTY  FIRE  AND  RESCUE UNITS  RESPONDED  TO  AN  OVERTURNED  SEMI  AT  19  SOUTH  AND  HIGHWAY  80    MONDAY   AFTERNOON  AND  THE  DRIVER  WAS  AIR FLIGHTED  TO  AN  OUT  OF  TOWN  TRAUMA  CENTER.  101  NEWS  SPOKE  WITH  NORTHSIDE  FIRE  DEPARTMENT  CHIEF  CHARLES  SANDEFUR  WHO  TOLD  US  SALEM  VOLUNTEER  FIRE DEPARTMENT  CALLED  FOR  MUTUAL  AID  AND  HIS  CREW RESPONDED.    WE WERE  TOLD  FIRE  AND  RESCUE  UNITS  HAD  TO  FREE  THE   TRAPPED   TRUCK  DRIVER  WITH  THE  JAWS OF  LIFE  CUTTING  TOOL.   THE    BIG  RIG    WAS  TRAVELING  ON  19  SOUTH  WHEN  THE  ACCIDENT  HAPPENED  AND  WAS  TRANSPORTING    LIQUID  WASTE.   GA.  STATE  PATROL IS  INVESTIGATING.

SPALDING CO SHERIFF DIX REPORTS

 On Saturday, June 27, 2026, at approximately 05:30 hours, Spalding County 

Uniform Patrol Division Deputies responded to 100 block of Westridge Drive regarding 

an Entering Auto and Aggravated Assault that had occurred moments earlier. While 

entering one of the vehicles at 108 Westridge, the suspects were confronted by the 

homeowner who had gone outside to check on a noise he had heard. While being 

confronted, one of the individuals fired 3 shots at the homeowner as the suspects fled the 

scene in one of the vehicles they had previously stolen. Upon arrival and after initial 

interviews, shift supervisors requested that a Criminal Investigator respond to the scene.

In all, 8 entering auto crimes had occurred that night, 2 vehicles had been stolen, and the

Aggravated Assault had occurred. 

While the Investigator was responding he was notified that Uniform Patrol 

Officers had already identified the vehicle that was used by the suspects and had located 

it abandoned in the Will’s Walk Subdivision off of Vineyard Road.

As Investigators and UPD Deputies began tracking an electronic device that had 

been stolen from one of the vehicles, the Spalding County 911 Center received a call 

from a citizen regarding suspicious teenagers walking through the Wills Walk 

subdivision. Two teens fitting the descriptions were located by Deputies in the 1000 

block of Vineyard Road which is very close to Wills Walk subdivision. One of them was 

positively identified as the suspect who fired the shots at the homeowner in the 100 block 

of Westridge Drive due to his clothing and backpack he was wearing. A search of the 

backpack incident to his arrest uncovered a pistol that had been stolen from one of the

vehicles that had been entered earlier.

Over the next 24-hours, Investigators were able to tie the suspects to a string of 

entering autos that had occurred during the previous week. Identified and charged are:

Leon McCampbell, B/M 18, of Griffin 

1 count- Aggravated Assault 

4 counts- Theft by Taking motor vehicle 

18 counts- Entering Auto 

1 count- Poss Firearm During Commission of a Crime

16-year-old juvenile, B/M 16, of Griffin

4 counts- Theft by Taking motor vehicle 

18 counts- Entering Auto 

1 count- Poss Firearm During Commission of a Crime

McCampbell is currently in custody at the Spalding County Jail, the juvenile was

detained at Martha Glaze Juvenile Facility in Clayton County.

Sheriff Darrell Dix, “These suspects were stealing because they wanted stuff 

without paying for it. It’s that simple. They are blessed that they didn’t run across an

armed homeowner who shot back.”

“This was great work by Uniform Patrol Deputies and Criminal Investigators 

working together as a team and following through until the suspects were captured. They 

kept pushing and moving forward and ended up solving a string of crimes. I’m proud of 

them and the work they do every day.

UPSON CO ELECTIONS/VOTER REGISTRATION HAS A WARNING

 THE  UPSON  COUNTY  BOARD  OF  ELECTIONS  AND  REGISTRATION  IS  WARNING  THE  PUBLIC  ABOUT   FRAUDLENT  MAILINGS  REGARDING  VOTER  REGISTRATION. YOU  CAN  ONLY   REGISTER  TO  VOTE    AT   THE   ELECTIONS   OFFICE  IN  THE  DRAKE  ANNEX  AT  THE  GOVERNMENT  COMPLEX  OR   YOU  CAN  REGISTER  TO  VOTE  ONLINE.

RULES FOR THOMASTON CHESS TOURNAMENT

 COFFEE SHOP SUMMER CHESS SERIES

BLITZ SWISS CHESS TOURNAMENT

WHOLESOME BOWLS COFFEE SHOP

105 South Center Street, Thomaston, GA

(762) 319-9119 or (706) 271-5944

Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at 4PM

RULES

1. Due to space limitations the tournament is limited to the first twelve 

(12) players to sign up.

2. This is not a United States Chess Federation (USCF) rated event and 

no USCF membership is required to play in the tournament. It is 

open to all.

3. There is no cost to play. Just sign up at the store or call it in. 

Registration closes 10 minutes before the start of the first round. 

4. This is an open “Blitz” chess format tournament. (5 minutes per side 

with a 5 second increment)

5. This will be a Swiss-system tournament (This is a competition 

format in which contestants are paired using rules designed to ensure 

that each competitor plays opponents with a similar running score 

without playing the same opponent more than once. Match pairing for 

each round is done after the previous round has ended and depends 

on its results.)

6. There will be five (5) rounds. Every player will play in each 

round. Round Times: Round 1: 4:00 PM; Round 2: 4:20 PM; Round 

3: 4.40 PM; Round 4: 5:00 PM; Round 5: 5:20 PM.

7. Each Win earns one point. A Loss earns no points. A draw earns ½ 

point for each player.

8. The player with the highest score after five rounds wins the 

tournament. 

9. Players are not required to record their scores but may do so. Score 

sheets and pencils will be provided.

10. Boards and clocks will be provided.

11. No requested Byes are allowed.

12. No withdrawals permitted after tournament begins. Rounds missed 

will be deemed forfeited and counted as losses.

PRIZES

Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals will be awarded to the First, Second, and 

Third place winners. Also free smoothies to the medalists courtesy of the 

Wholesome Bowls Coffee Shop.*

*This tournament is sponsored by the Thomaston Chess Club and the 

Kings Army Chess Club who will provide the medals 

ATTENTION CHESS PEOPLE IN THOMASTON AREA

 

Bentley Adams III<badams32001@yahoo.com>

​jbtinsley@gmail.com;​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Aloha Chess People,

On Wednesday, July 8th, the Kings Army Chess Club and the Thomaston Chess Club will host the 3rd tournament in their Coffee Shop Summer Chess Series. The tournament will be held at the Wholesome Bowls Coffee Shop in downtown Thomaston.

This will be an open "Blitz" chess tournament with each game featuring 5 minutes per side with a 5 second increment. (Each time a player completes a move, 5 seconds is added to the player's time. So each 12 moves gets the player an additional minute of time. It's much harder to run out of time with a 5 second increment.)  There will be five rounds.  Every contestant will play in every round.  Pairings will be determined using a "Swiss" system in which basically winners play winners and losers play losers.  The field will be limited to 12 players.  Handsome engraved Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals will be awarded to the top 3 finishers.  Also free smoothies from Wholesome Bowls Coffee Shop to each medalist.  This will be a fast-paced and fun tournament for players of all skill levels.  There is no cost to enter.

More detailed information about the tournament is attached.

Hope to see you all at the Wholesome Bowls Coffee Shop next week.

Mahalo

Bentley Adams, III

BENTLEY C. ADAMS, III

104 Barnes Drive

Thomaston, GA 30286

(706) 271-5944

badams32001@yahoo.com

GOV ANNOUNCED $2 MILLION GRANT TO T-U IDA

 GOVERNOR  BRIAN  KEMP  HAS  ANNOUNCED  A   $2  MILLION   RURAL  SITE  DEVELOPMENT  GRANT  FOR  THE  THOMASTON-UPSON  DEVELOPMENT  AUTHORITY.  IT  WILL  BE  USED  TO  CONSTRUCT WATER,  SEWER,  AND   TRANSPORTATION  INFRASTRUCTURE AT THE GRAD-CERTIFIED  CENTRAL  GA.  BUSINESS  AND  TECHNOLOGY  PARK.  THE  TOTAL  PROJECT  COSTS  ARE  $2.3  MILLION. 

SPALDING CO COOLING STATIONS

 We have worked with partners to schedule a cooling center in Spalding County to escape the heat that we are already experiencing. Attached is the location and hours that is available beginning today (Monday June 29). The location is:

 

• Flint River Regional Library (800 Memorial Drive in Griffin):

• Monday and Thursday from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

 

 

“The heat out there is getting oppressive,” said County Manager Dr. Steve Ledbetter, “and we want to provide relief for our citizens, specifically the most vulnerable. Please take advantage of these cooling centers if you’re feeling at risk.”

 

To assist residents in our community with coping with extreme heat, the Rotary Club of Griffin and the Rotary Club of Griffin Daybreak have partnered with Spalding County Emergency Management to provide fans to the community.

There is a limited amount of fans that will be available on a first come- first serve basis for Spalding County residents with one (1) fan per household.

This opportunity to offer fans to residents is a special project from both Rotary clubs and we appreciate the partnership as we assist those in our community, along with Walmart of Griffin that assisted in acquiring the fans for the clubs.

 

To request a fan, please visit the Spalding County Fire / Emergency Management Administration Complex located at 1005 Memorial Drive from 10a-2p on Wednesday 7/1 and Thursday 7/2, where fans will be available until all of the supply is depleted.

 

For more information, please contact Spalding County Office of Homeland Security / Emergency Management at 770-228-2129.

 

 

Please let us know if there is anything else that we can do for you.

 

Hope you have a great day!!

 

 

Glenn

 

Glenn Polk, MPA, CFO, CEM, GAFC, MiFireE, EMT-I, CCC, GA-PCEM

Fire Chief – Administration / Emergency Management, Spalding County Fire Department

Director, Spalding County Office of Homeland Security / Emergency Management

1005 Memorial Drive     Griffin, GA 30223

(O) 770-228-2129        (F) 770-467-4785

(C) 770-527-2855

gpolk@spaldingcounty.com