Tyrone drug bust ends in shootout

Fri, 08/25/2006 - 9:10am
By: Ben Nelms

Tyrone drug bust car wreck 1

A drug bust Thursday night at Publix grocery store in Tyrone resulted in three suspects arrested at the scene and a fourth shot before he fled the area, crashing into another vehicle minutes later north of Milam Road on Ga. Highway 74.

Roderick Williams, 32, of Chattanooga along with Napoleon Dowdell, 49, of Jacksonville, Fla., 34 year-old Fairburn resident Melvin Dudley and Jonathan Fenn of Greenville, S.C. were charged with criminal attempt to traffic in marijuana, according to Fayette County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Belinda McCastle. Fenn, who tried to run down officers and caused the wreck on Hwy. 74 has additional charges pending.

The incident began as the four men were being taken into custody during a buy-bust at the Publix store, said McCastle. Fenn attempted to escape by fleeing in the suspect vehicle. During the attempt, he hit a Sheriff’s vehicle and tried to run over members of the Sheriff’s Drug Suppression Task Force other drug officers, McCastle said. Officers fired, striking the man, who fled the parking lot and headed north on Hwy. 74, she said.

Tyrone drug bust car wreck 2

Fenn crossed Milam Road and continued approximately 200-300 yards before striking a compact vehicle with two motorists inside. Their heavily damaged vehicle came to rest in the median while the pickup truck driven by Fenn flipped over a short distance away, McCastle said.

Fenn and one of the passengers in the car he struck were flown to medical facilities by helicopter while the second motorist in the car was transported by ambulance.

Fenn was listed in critical condition at Atlanta Medical Center. The condition of the two motorists struck by the felon is not known.

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Submitted by sourmug on Sat, 08/26/2006 - 11:46am.

Just wondered if anyone knows what what went down Thursday at mid-afternoon at the Kroger parking lot near the Taco Bell on Ga Hwy 85 & Banks Road? My mother & sister were waiting a the Taco Bell drive thru when large numbers of men in vests descended on a vehicle in the area. This scared them pretty bad, so they got out of there. Haven't been able to find any information on this. Curious if this was another drug bust or did they catch the robber that's been on the loose.

Submitted by IMNSHO on Sat, 08/26/2006 - 1:46pm.

No, they did not catch the robbery suspect. Yes, it was probably a drug bust. Not uncommon for the Banks Station area. And the stupid drug dealers keep coming back there, despite how many busts there have been in that area. Many of them are leery of coming to Fayette County to do a deal. But they always end up letting themselves be talked into it... their desire for the money winning out over all else.

Git Real's picture
Submitted by Git Real on Sat, 08/26/2006 - 7:31pm.

You seem to know quite a bit. Are you one of Harvey's super secret buddies?


Submitted by IMNSHO on Sat, 08/26/2006 - 11:39pm.

Who's Harvey? As I'm fairly new here (on this site), I'm still not clear on who everyone is.

What I know, I know from the inside. That's all I'm sayin'.

bad_ptc's picture
Submitted by bad_ptc on Sat, 08/26/2006 - 7:58pm.

Email me a disposable email address.

bad_ptc@bellsouth.net

I’ve got something to send to you.

I guarantee you will SCREAM!


Submitted by justanana on Fri, 08/25/2006 - 7:36pm.

I pulled into the Publix parking lot last night and apparently this had just happened. The news crews hadn't arrived yet but the crime tape was up and I only saw one police car at the border of the tape. (The news crews were there when I came out of the store but I never saw anything on their websites.)

I have been searching everywhere online I could think of just to try to find out what was going on. Now that I've found your site, I've just spent over an hour catching up on things important to us!

Since my hubbie works nights, I'm often out running my errands then, especially with the 24 hr Wal-Marts. Never before had I been concerned, just normally watchful. What a shock! Guess I'll be more nervous now but I cannot just give in and stop going out after dark by myself - dang it!

Submitted by did not know on Fri, 08/25/2006 - 7:42pm.

I think so many people wanted to know...

bad_ptc's picture
Submitted by bad_ptc on Fri, 08/25/2006 - 6:48pm.

If Fenn is on life support, save the taxpayers some money, pull the plug.

Then we can use posters on bill boards of his dead carcus to warn all others like him what will happen to them if they come here.


Submitted by pandora on Fri, 08/25/2006 - 6:58pm.

at all the borders (right next to those "home of the state champion team" signs) ought to send it loud and clear (is it too much to hope the Fville shooter is near death, too?)
Shocked

Submitted by libertees on Fri, 08/25/2006 - 7:56pm.

I agree. We need to invest in more target practice for our police. Apperantly he missed. Maybe we can get more effective weapons. We better stop this now. Wouldn't it be great to send a message to the country that this AIN'T downtown Atlanta. You do something here, you get shot! Simple and clear.

--What you do now will determine what you have tomorrow--

Submitted by Sweet Honesty on Fri, 08/25/2006 - 6:20pm.

It's somewhat conforting to know that only one of these scumbags is from our area (Fairburn). But there are thousands waiting to take their place while they are in the legal system. It's a never ending flow. The only way to really make it better, I think, is to find a way to greatly lower the demand for this stuff. And, one my daughters went to work for Fayette County Sheriff's Dept a few months ago, and we are very proud.

Git Real's picture
Submitted by Git Real on Fri, 08/25/2006 - 2:16pm.

This stuff ain't child's play. Great job again guys but be forewarned. Your going to be made out to be the bad guys because you will be accused of provoking this situation which caused the wreck which injured the two motorists. Just watch.

How are the injured motorist doing? Please keep us updated on them. As far as Fenn goes I hope he hurts like hell.

These episodes are becoming a near daily event. It's a matter of time before innocents are killed because of these predators. I knew drug use and trafficking was bad but daaannnngggg. We've got serious problems if there is that much of a market for the crap.


Submitted by xeon on Fri, 08/25/2006 - 1:38pm.

First off, good job to FCPD for putting 4 more "goons" away last night.. You guys REALLY do risk your lives, like last night. It's happening all over Fayette county now, and I'm glad that the Task Force is doing something about it. Congrats again guys, and thanks for risking your lives for us- the citizens.

cowtipn's picture
Submitted by cowtipn on Fri, 08/25/2006 - 2:38pm.

No such thing as the FCPD. They are from the Sheriff's Department. I'm sure they hate it when we get that mixed up.


Submitted by xeon on Fri, 08/25/2006 - 2:43pm.

Sorry about that. I was misinformed. *Sheriff's Department.

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