STAFF REPORT :::
An alert business owner reported a commercial burglary as it was in progress, which led to the speedy apprehension of one suspect by officers of the Griffin Police Department.
Renish Panjwani on Monday at approximately 3:45 a.m. called in a report to Spalding E911 that he was watching live video footage of a man breaking the glass door and entering the BP at 10th and Taylor streets.
“Panjwani stated it was a black male with a black jacket,” reported Officer Matthew Rhodes, of the Griffin Police Department Uniform Patrol Division. “Panjwani advised dispatch the male was leaving the store as the first officer was arriving on scene.”
That suspect, later identified as La Ray Shon Goodrum, fled on foot upon the arrival of Master Patrol Officer Stephen Trawick and Master Patrol Officer Michael Betsill.
“I saw Goodrum in a black vest running from officers. I exited my vehicle and ran towards Goodrum pointing my taser giving verbal commands to stop and to get on the ground. Goodrum stopped and put his hands in the air. I grabbed Goodrum’s left arm and went to place it behind his back. Goodrum then pulled away starting to fight me,” Rhodes said. “MPO Betsill and Officer (Caleb) Presley assisted in escorting Goodrum to the ground. Goodrum started to fight officers on the ground.”
At that time, Goodrum was tased by Betsill.
“Goodrum stopped fighting and was placed in handcuffs,” Rhodes said.
Once the suspect was in custody, Betsill located clothes and shoes in a dumpster behind the store, and After Officer Michael Smith arrived and photographed the broken window, they also located a block wrapped in a t-shirt, which was taken into evidence along with video footage Panjwani provided.
Goodrum, age 21, of 414 Circus St., was transported to the Spalding County Jail. He has been charged with burglary forced entry and obstruction of a law enforcement officer.
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