Officer makes unique drug arrest

TIFTON — A 20-year-old local man has been arrested and charged with multiple felonies. The arrest came Wednesday night, after a Tifton police officer working security at Applebee’s discovered the man had marijuana, small bags and scales.

Balmori Amaya, an officer with the Tifton Police Department, stated in his report that he was working security at the restaurant when he saw five black men enter the men’s restroom. Amaya stated that he followed the men into the restroom and four of them ran out. He then noticed that one of the men had a small bag that looked like marijuana, and when the man saw him, he tried to hide it in the front of his boxers.

Amaya stated he grabbed Kenyotia Torrez Wilkes, 20, 725 17 1/2 St., by his arm and told him he was under arrest and began to escort him out of the restroom when Wilkes snatched away from him. Amaya said he then grabbed Wilkes again in the restroom, and told him he was under arrest. Amaya stated Wilkes then began to act aggressively, and resisted arrest by pulling and pushing him off.

Amaya stated he then got on his radio and called for back up while grabbing Wilkes by his shoulders, and pushing him through the restroom doors in order to take control of the situation. Wilkes then, according to Amaya, began to reach into his pocket several times. Amaya wrote that at one point, Wilkes pushed him into the wall in an effort to elude him. Amaya stated he then grabbed Wilkes under his shoulders and put him on the ground. Then, Amaya stated, Wilkes got up and continued to resist arrest by pulling and fighting him off.

Amaya stated he then grabbed Wilkes a second time and placed him on the ground again. Another officer arrived at the restaurant, according to Amaya, and the officers were able to place handcuffs on Wilkes and remove him from the building. Amaya noted he discovered eight small blue small bags of marijuana, one clear sandwich bag with loose marijuana in it, 92 empty unused small bags and 12 clear bags of marijuana in Wilkes’ right pocket when he searched him. The report also said there was $550 in cash found.

Amaya wrote he noticed during the scuffle that Wilkes dropped a silver object onto the floor. After Wilkes was handcuffed, Amaya learned that the object Wilkes allegedly dropped was a hand-held scale.

Wilkes was charged with felony obstruction against a police officer with force, felony possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and felony possession of tools for the commission of a crime.

In other incidents reported to law enforcement:

• A woman who lives on Bellflower Road reported Tuesday someone entered her home and stole several pieces of furniture and a television.

• A woman who lives on Upper Ty Ty Road reported Wednesday someone broke into her home and went through her belongings looking for something to steal. Nothing was reported missing, the report stated.

To contact senior reporter Angie Thompson, call 382-4321.

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