Police have charged two men and one woman in connection with two shootings Saturday in western Chatham County.
Zhaejuan A. Johnson, 17, and Kassandra Diane Perryman, 29, were arrested after a Saturday afternoon robbery and shooting on Fenwick Village Drive. Victor Myron Baker, 51, was charged in a Saturday evening shooting on Larchmont Court.
Johnson was charged with armed robbery and possession of a firearm in committing a crime after he was shot during a struggle with 28-year-old Michael Perryman at the latter’s apartment, said Savannah-Chatham police spokesman Julian Miller.
Johnson was treated for his wound at Memorial University Medical Center overnight before being taken to the Chatham County jail.
Kassandra Perryman was charged with armed robbery.
Miller said detectives determined Michael Perryman was in his apartment when Johnson arrived about 1 p.m., pulled a gun and attempted to rob him. The two struggled over the weapon, which discharged and struck Johnson on the side of his head, Miller said.
Kassandra Perryman was charged with setting her husband up for the robbery, Miller said.
In the later shooting, Baker was charged with reckless conduct after 45-year-old Donnie Reed Cantrell was shot in the foot just before 10 p.m.
The neighbors argued during the day before Cantrell went to Baker’s residence for a third time to continue the discussion, Miller said. Baker produced a gun and fired it twice into the ground, striking Cantrell’s foot, Miller said.
Both shootings are still under investigation.
Drug agents charge man with selling heroin
A 51-year-old man is behind bars on eight felony counts after undercover drug agents Friday charged him with selling heroin.
Calvin Herman Lovett is charged with three counts of selling a controlled substance and one count each of criminal attempt, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, use of communication facility for criminal use, attempt to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act and failure to appear.
The investigation into Lovett began in January, when the Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team learned he was allegedly selling heroin, said spokesman Gene Harley.
Undercover agents were able to purchase heroin from Lovett twice, but he was not arrested then in order to further the investigation, Harley said.
While the investigation was ongoing, however, Lovett seemingly disappeared from the Savannah area. The case was then indicted by the Chatham County Superior Court and sent to the U.S. Marshals Service.
In June, CNT agents working undercover on a separate drug investigation learned Lovett was back in the area and allegedly selling heroin.
Agents set up an operation to bring Lovett into custody by purchasing heroin from him. On Friday, he arrived at an area by Skidaway Road and Victory Drive to complete the transaction and was taken into custody, Harley said.
At the time of his arrest, Lovett had about $500 worth of heroin on his person, as well as $1,499 in currency, Harley said.
Lovett is in jail and does not have a bond. In addition to charges stemming from his arrest Friday, he was also served with warrants for the initial investigation.
Harley said Friday was the 23rd time Lovett was booked in Chatham County since 1985 and the second time he was arrested by CNT.
Arson not suspected in Thursday blaze
Savannah Fire & Emergency Services investigators have found no evidence to suggest suspicious activity was involved with the Thursday fire that destroyed a west Savannah woodworking facility, said department spokesman Mark Keller.
The late afternoon, two-alarm blaze took several dozen firefighters more than two hours to bring under control. Materials used in woodworking and construction of wooden items such as doors and decorative moldings fueled the fire.
The blaze at Savannah Architectural Supply, 1880 W. Gwinnett St., was reported just after 5 p.m. A second alarm was sounded when it became apparent the flames had engulfed the entire structure and additional resources were necessary to fight the blaze.
No one was inside the structure at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported.
Investigators say the blaze appears to have originated in the vicinity of a truck parked inside the rear of the structure and they are unable to rule out the truck as a possible ignition source.
Investigators will continue their search for additional evidence that might point to a cause, Keller said.
Investigation into Ranger’s parachute death continues
The U.S. Army has deployed what’s described as a centralized accident investigation team to lead the inquiry into the Thursday death of a Ranger at Fort Stewart.
Pfc. Christopher P. Dona was found unresponsive with parachute cords around his neck after a routine proficiency jump at Taylor’s Creek Drop Zone, according to a U.S. Special Operations Command news release.
Dona was stationed at Hunter Army Airfield, where he was assigned to the Army’s elite 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.
The CAI team includes experts in safety, maintenance, operations and training, said Michael Negard, spokesman for the Fort Rucker, Ala., Combat Readiness/Safety Center, which deployed the team. The team will investigate the accident and make recommendations to prevent future accidents, Negard said.
The investigation report, he said, will be used within the Department of Defense for accident-prevention purposes only.
Missing Missouri teen could be in Savannah
Missouri police believe a teenager missing from the greater St. Louis area may be in Savannah.
Savannah Baker, 15, went missing from St. John, Mo., on May 20, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. She was last seen wearing pink sweat pants with “PINK” written across the bottom and a black button-down shirt atop a blue T-shirt.
Baker is described as a brunette with green eyes who is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs about 125 pounds.
“All indication is she’s a runaway,” said St. John police Capt. J.R. Morris.
Baker also went missing last year and in November was found on Savannah’s southside, Morris said.
Anyone who sees Baker should call the St. John, Mo., police department at 314-427-8706 or local authorities.
Eight hurt in Monday wreck
Six people were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries Monday morning after a two-vehicle wreck at West Boundary Street and Louisville Road.
James E. Leach Jr., 40, and four passengers in the 2004 Dodge Magnum he was driving, Orlando Robbins, Ashley Finley, Paul L. Williams and Joshua Munns, were transported to Memorial University Medical Center after the 8:07 a.m. crash, said Julian Miller, Savannah-Chatham police spokesman.
Also transported was Steve Bragg, 38, driver of a Ford F450 pulling a trailer, Miller said.
Officers with the police department’s Major Accident Investigation Team determined Leach was driving on Boundary when he crossed the double yellow line into the northbound lane. Bragg was driving north on Boundary and slowed for a red light and attempted to avoid the collision by steering to the right, Miller said. The Dodge collided with the left front of the truck.
The investigation into the wreck is ongoing.
Compiled by Dash Coleman and Josh Rayburn
CHATHAM COUNTY BOOKED
To see pictures and details for individuals serving their initial incarceration in Chatham County, as reported by the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, go to ChathamCountyBooked.com.