Franklin County deputies handle multiple incidents over busy Easter weekend

CARNESVILLE, Ga. — The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office responded to a series of incidents over Easter weekend, including an elder abuse investigation, an unattended death, a missing person search and multiple arrests, according to Sheriff Scott Andrews.

On Saturday, April 4, deputies with the patrol division responded to a report involving the abuse of an elderly person. A suspect was quickly identified and arrest warrants were obtained, though the individual had not been apprehended as of the time of the release. Andrews said additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Shortly afterward, patrol deputies and investigators responded to a report of an unattended death. The case remains under investigation, but the death appears to be from non-criminal causes. The Franklin County Coroner’s Office is conducting follow-up.

Later, deputies responded to a report of a vehicle connected to a missing person case out of Banks County. Authorities searched the area using drones, ground crews and assistance from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, checking nearby bodies of water. Nothing was found during the search. The vehicle was processed and taken to the sheriff’s office impound lot for further review, and the case was turned back over to the Banks County Sheriff’s Office.

In a separate incident, deputies responded to reports of a person acting erratically in the parking lot of a Little Caesars restaurant in Carnesville. The individual resisted arrest and was taken into custody after a brief struggle.

Raynaldo Marcello Rucker was arrested and charged with three counts of felony obstruction of an officer, as well as public drunkenness, disorderly conduct, public indecency, attempted removal of a weapon from a public official, battery on a peace officer, obstruction, loitering, criminal attempt to enter an auto and theft by taking, Andrews said.

While deputies were dealing with that incident, two individuals allegedly entered Rucker’s vehicle, took a bag and fled the scene. Investigators later identified the suspects as Darian Ray Woody and Samantha Marie Collier. Authorities executed a search warrant on Highway 320 and arrested both individuals. Woody and Collier are being held at the Franklin County Detention Center.

Andrews thanked multiple agencies for assisting over the weekend, including the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office patrol and criminal investigations divisions, the Banks County Sheriff’s Office, the GBI Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, the Franklin County Coroner’s Office and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.