A vehicle was allegedly stolen and driven into a fire hydrant at the 1700 block of North Greenwood Street Tuesday around 2:50 a.m. According to the police report, a 2011 Red Dodge Ram 1500 was found abandoned with scratch marks and the hood was covered with leaves and twigs.

A witness told police that they saw a man flee the scene and that when he spoke to the driver, he smelled like he had been drinking.

According to the police report, an officer found the owner’s information in the vehicle and tracked him to his residence. A friend told police at the residence that the vehicle’s owner didn’t speak English and that his truck was stolen.

House burglarized

More than $500 worth of tools were taken from a house under repairs at the 800 block of Monroe Street. The burglary occurred between Sunday at 10 p.m. and Tuesday at noon, according to the police report.

A person working on the house said he noticed a crack on the inside frame of the front door when he returned home.

Items missing include a Dewalt cordless drill valued at $150, a Hyper Tough skill saw valued at $60, five boxes of carpet squares valued at $5 each, three PVC pipes valued at $7 each, an Estwing hammer valued at $30, a gallon of kerosene valued at $20, a box of caulking valued at $30 and a shop vacuum valued at $50.

House “unlivable” after Monday house fire

The Troup County Fire Department responded to a structure fire that occurred at the 3000 block of Bartley Road Monday after 2 a.m.

According to Troup County Fire Chief Dennis Knight the fire was called in at 2:11 a.m. and was under control by 2:41 a.m.

The house can no longer be lived in, Knight said.

“I would call it heavy damage,” Knight said.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

“[The] occupants were referred to Red Cross for assistance,” Knight said.

Man arrested after attempting to run from police in Walmart parking lot

A man was arrested after allegedly shoplifting two HP desktop computers from the Walmart on New Franklin Road. According to the police report, the man attempted to get into a moving car to avoid police Tuesday around 6 p.m. Officers responded to a call that Daren Chandler, 50, and a woman were leaving the store with two HP desktops valued at $746.86.

Chandler put the items in the rear passenger seat as the woman sat in the driver’s seat. According to the police report, when an officer told Chandler to put down the boxes, he told the woman to go.

As the woman started driving in reverse, Chandler ran alongside the car and attempted to get in the front passenger seat. As the officer approached the vehicle, the woman sped off and almost hit him, according to the police report.

The officer then chased Chandler and caught him as he tried to run to the store. Chandler is charged with theft by shoplifting more than $500 and obstruction.

All information in this report is gathered from official law enforcement and public safety reports and releases.

Reach the LaGrange Daily News at (706) 884-7311.