At roughly 9:50 p.m., one of the women was in her bedroom when she heard a chime sounding downstairs but ignored it, assuming it was her brother coming home. Shortly thereafter, movements were heard in the basement of the home followed by a bang. It was then that the women realized they were being burglarized, according to reports.
According to the daughter, when she and her mother heard the noises they immediately called 911 and while on the phone with dispatch allegedly heard the door to the second level of the home being kicked in, and then the door to the master bedroom. The women reportedly heard the intruders commenting on the nice stuff they had in the home.
Once they heard the men's voices the two women allegedly began screaming "the police are here!" which is when they reportedly heard the sound of running as the men made their way downstairs.
One of the women said that it sounded like the men "were young black teenagers, based on the tone of their voices."
When officers arrived at the home, they reportedly found the basement door kicked in and the door open. The homeowner and her daughter were on the third floor locked in the master bedroom that the intruders had attempted to kick open. The older woman was complaining of chest pains and was having difficulty breathing at the time; EMS was called to assist her. She was treated and released at the scene.
The daughter was able to report that a laptop computer was missing from the kitchen table but did not immediately notice anything else missing in the residence. The mother's purse had been gone through and, according to reports, the contents scattered across the floor.
CPD officers, as well as Porterdale K-9 officer Beau searched the area. The dog reportedly alerted to the Walker's Bend community and began to approach a young black male dressed in dark-colored clothing, who allegedly took off running. Officers gave verbal commands to the youth to stop, which he ignored, according to reports. Officers searched the area, but were unable to locate the young man.
The investigation into the burglary continues. Anyone with information is asked to contact the CPD at (770) 786-7605 or to visit their Web site at www.covingtonpolice.com. All tips can be given anonymously.
Stories vary between husband and wife regarding dispute
A man was arrested after reportedly throwing a television set in the presence of his wife and juvenile children late Monday night.
According to reports, deputies from the Newton County Sheriff's Office were called to a home in reference to a family fight. When they arrived, they met with Terrence Thoron Stodghill, who allegedly told them he and his wife had gotten in an argument and that he had walked out of the home in an attempt to keep the argument from escalating.
Stodghill reportedly admitted that he got mad and threw the TV onto the floor and started to walk out of the room. He allegedly told deputies that as he was walking from the home, his wife cut him with a kitchen knife.
Deputies spoke with Stodghill's wife, who allegedly told them her husband came home "highly intoxicated" and started arguing with her about their financial situation. She reportedly told deputies that the argument became physical when her husband "threw their TV" at her. She allegedly said that he also began to strike her in the face.
She reportedly told deputies that she grabbed a kitchen knife during the fight and used it to defend herself against her husband. She allegedly told law enforcement officials that when she attempted to stab her husband he "got up and ran out the door."
The juvenile children of the couple were reportedly present during the altercation. One of them allegedly told deputies that he saw Stodghill acting aggressively toward his mother and also witnessed him throw the television at her.
Stodghill was placed under arrested and transported to the Newton County Detention Center, where he was charged with battery and cruelty to children in the second degree.
