Name:
HARTZOG, GARRETT THOMAS
Date of Booking:
04/02/2024
Reason(s) For Booking:
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT.
POSSESSION OF TOOLS FOR COMMISSION OF A CRIME
ENTERING AN AUTO OR OTHER MOTO VEHICLE WITH INTENT OF FELONY.
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On April 02, 2024 at approximately 0648 hours, Decatur County Deputies were dispatched to the address of [600 BLOCK] Wautauga Road in reference to a male subject chasing another male subject with an axe. Upon arrival, contact was made with Garrett Hartzog and [VICTIM #1].
Sergeant Jordan Phillips began speaking with Hartzog while Deputy Roddrick Murphy spoke with [VICTIM #1]. Hartzog told Sgt. Phillips that he rented out a piece of equipment to [VICTIM #1]. Hartzog told Sgt. Phillips that there was a contract between he and [VICTIM #1], but the contract went out on February 12, 2024. Hartzog stated that he came to this address to take part of the equipment so that [VICTIM #1] could not use it at work. Sgt. Phillips asked Hartzog what happened with the axe. Hartzog stated that he did not grab the axe but did have one in the wagon of tools he brought with him.
Sgt. Phillips looked at the contract and text messages between Hartzog and [VICTIM #1]. In the text messages, Hartzog tells [VICTIM #1] that the contract expired but [VICTIM #1] stated he would not sign another one. Hartzog continue to allow [VICTIM #1] to rent the machine. Towards the end of the text message conversation, Hartzog made the comment that he would “bust” [VICTIM #1]’s a*s.
Sgt. Phillips made contact with the [VICTIM #1]. [VICTIM #1] stated that when he walked out of his residence, he saw Hartzog standing in the driveway, holding a drill that belonged to [VICTIM #1]. [VICTIM #1] stated that the drill was inside of his suburban. [VICTIM #1] told Sgt. Phillips that he asked Hartzog what he was doing at his house. [VICTIM #1] stated that Hartzog dropped the drill and picked up the axe. [VICTIM #1] told Sgt. Phillips that Hartzog approached him with the ax and began swinging it at him. [VICTIM #1] stated that he put up his hands and swatted Hartzog’s hand away, at which time his received a small cut on the top of his left hand. Sgt. Phillips observed a small cut with fresh blood on the left of [VICTIM #1].
Sgt. Phillips contacted on call Investigator Garrett Wooten and advised him of the incident. Inv. Wooten stated that he would respond to the scene. Inv. Wooten arrived on scene and the incident was turned over to him. Hartzog was taken into custody. Hartzog was placed in handcuffs behind his back. Dep. Murphy transported Hartzog to the Decatur County Jail for booking.
[End of Narrative]
