Chief Troy Rich

THOMASVILLE — Although the city had four homicides in 2018, overall crime was down 11 percent.

“That’s a big accomplishment for this department and officers on the street,” said Thomasville Police Chief Troy Rich.

Until last year, Thomasville had no homicides since 2014. Rich said suspects in the 2018 homicides were arrested and are in custody.

Homicides last year included the death of a 70-year-old woman found buried in the suspect’s yard and a woman who was run over by a man allegedly trying to steal her car at the assisted living facility where the victim was employed.

“He (the suspect) was under the influence of some type of intoxicant,” said Capt. Maurice Holmes, TPD Criminal Investigations Division commander.

Another homicide occurred when a verbal argument escalated to shots being fired on Wright Street, and someone was killed, Holmes said.

The last homicide in 2018 took place at a Grady Street residence during a card game.

The number of rape cases stayed the same last year and in 2017 at one each year.

Aggravated assaults increased by four in 2018.

Violent crimes — homicide, rape, aggravated assault — were up 57 percent in 2018 over 2017.

TPD crime statistics are complied annually for the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“The FBI compiles the numbers for national statistics. If someone wants to move to the community, they want to know what kind of crime you have,” Rich said.

The chief said last year’s homicide arrests were made possible because of community support. Residents worked with police and reported suspicious activities and provided information, he added.

Robberies last year were down by six over 2017 — from 14 to eight.

Overall, property crimes — robbery, burglary, larceny, stolen vehicle — were down 12 percent in 2018 from 2017.

Stolen vehicle cases increased from 19 to 24. Holmes said the increase is because of a rash of moped thefts in early 2018.

“Mopeds are considered vehicles,” he said.

Forgeries were up 31 percent in 2018, while dangerous drug cases were up 26 percent.

Numbers show TPD made 249 drug arrests in 2018, compared to 198 in 2017. Rich said 70 were felony drug arrests.

Drug cases made by police are turned over to the Thomas County/Thomasville Narcotics Vice Division, which is funded 50-50 by Thomasville and Thomas County governments.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820