Crime & Safety

News Nearby: Man Kills Wife, Then Himself; Murder Suspect Arrested

Check out top Patch headlines from around Cartersville, the region and Georgia.

- Canton-Sixes Patch

The identity of the man who was found dead behind the Canton Marketplace on Sunday morning remains a mystery, despite a vigorous police investigation.

Canton Police Department Chief Robert Merchant told Canton-Sixes Patch on Wednesday afternoon that several interviews were ongoing in an attempt to discover the identity of the man. Find more about the case at Canton-Sixes Patch.

Find out what's happening in Cartersvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

- Cumming Patch

A married Forsyth County couple who authorities believe were having marital problems were found dead Monday night in an apparent murder-suicide, according to the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office.

Find out what's happening in Cartersvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Investigators say John Vitkow, 65, called 911 around 9:40 p.m. and told the dispatcher that he had killed his wife, Nancy Lee Vitkow, 66, with a .357 Magnum gun. He then told the dispatcher that he was going to leave the front door unlocked and was going to kill himself. See Cumming Patch for more on this story .

Smyrna Murder Suspect Arrested in Nevada - Smyrna-Vinings Patch

Derrick Williams was arrested overnight near Reno, Nevada, said Smyrna police spokesman Michael Smith. Authorities said they do not have more details about his arrest at this time.

Williams of Smyrna, 35, is wanted for killing his wife, 33-year-old Finesse Dawson, said Smith. See Smyrna-Vinings Patch for more on this story.

Car Crash in Barrow County Kills Two - Barrow Patch

An auto accident along Ga. Highway 8 on Monday, Dec. 10, killed two people. 

According to the Georgia State Patrol, a 2003 GMC Envoy being driven by Winder resident Kristina Marie Brown was traveling eastbound on Highway 8 about 2:25 p.m. when the vehicle crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a 1992 Honda Accord being driven by Jess Willard Haygood, 80, of Norcross. Visit Barrow Patch for additional details.

- Dallas-Hiram Patch

Dallas Police early Tuesday afternoon released to Dallas-Hiram Patch details of a bank robbery that occurred at Georgia Heritage Bank.

According to Detective Allen Herd, the incident occurred about 9:45 a.m. when a man walked in and presented a note demanding cash. The perpetrator, who was not armed, was in and out in less than a minute after receiving an unspecified amount of cash, Herd said. Read more about this story on Dallas-Hiram Patch.

DA Seeks Abuse Indictment Against Former Hopewell Middle Teacher - Alpharetta-Milton Patch

A Fulton County Grand Jury has returned an eleven-count indictment against a former special needs teacher for allegedly abusing children in her care.

Thirty-four-year-old Melanie Pickens is charged with Cruelty to Children and False Imprisonment in connection with the physical abuse of five Hopewell Middle School students. .

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