Bainbridge -After a theft of digital cameras from a local department store, 4 have been arrested and charged with felony shoplifting.

BPS Sgt. Jon Harrison responded and viewed the video of the theft. Three females and a male were clearly visible stealing the items. Investigator Chris Jordan was called and the case turned over to him. On Tuesday, June 29, he interviewed the suspects.

Crystal Griffin admitted that she and others stole some property. Griffin stated that she, Chyterria Williams, and Vickie Allen took digital cameras and SD cards.

Investigator Jordan interviewed Chyterria Williams. She confirmed the statement made by Griffin and also stated there was baby clothing taken as well. Williams admitted to having some baby clothing and one of the digital cameras in her possession. Investigator Jordan seized the clothing and the camera.

Investigator Jordan spoke with Vickie Allen and Devin Brown. Both Brown and Allen were positively identified from the video and admitted to being with Griffin and Williams during the theft. Both Vickie Allen and Devin Brown denied stealing anything but Allen stated that she had one of the cameras in her possession. Investigator Jordan seized the camera.

Arrested were Vicki Allen, 19 of 1007 E Broughton Street, Devin J Brown, 19, of 3048 Vada Road, Crystal Dione Griffin, 24, of 306 Godwin Street and Chyterria Rishell Williams, 18, of 203 Kelly Road.

Blakely - The Early County Board of Education named Dr. Bronwyn Ragan-Martin interim superintendent at a called meeting June 22 at the central office. Dr. Ragan- Martin will serve in that capacity until a new superintendent is chosen.

The search process is now underway with preliminary interviews scheduled for July 14 and July 15 at the Early County Middle School.

The board approved a tentative budget for the 2011 school term. The tentative budget will not require a tax millage increase.

The total reflects a decrease of approximately $650,000 in instruction costs which include not replacing retiring or resigning personnel. The budget total also reflects over $280,000 in savings from a systemwide, four-day furlough which will shorten the student school years by four days. The school year will begin two days later and end two days earlier.

Cairo - Former Grady County Sheriff Gerald Thomas is back behind the counter at his family’s mercantile store in Calvary; two weeks after a crazed customer beat Thomas severely then trashed the store.

He and his son, Bruce, were inside Thomas Mercantile last Monday when a man started yelling profanities.

The man hit Thomas on the head, knocking him to the floor, then started throwing merchandise.

The younger Thomas was able to pull his father to the back of the store where they stayed until the offender left the store.

Deputies with the sheriff’s department tracked down the alleged offender, Rozelle Williams, 27, apparently walking toward his home. Williams was taken into custody on charges related to the incident.