Two arrested for a March 17 beating on Elva Street

By Pete Skiba (2291)
pete.skiba@albanyherald.com

As of Wednesday, April 4, 2012
© Copyright 2013 Albany Herald

ALBANY, Ga. — Rashad Peterson and Jermaine Harrison were arrested Tuesday and booked into Dougherty County Jail on aggravated assault and aggravated battery charges, said a jail spokeswoman.

Peterson, 26, and Harrison, 25, are accused of beating James Donterris Wheeler III into unconsciousness on March 17, stated an Albany Police Department report.

According to court records both men have criminal histories including possession of a weapon while committing a felony dating back years. Harrison was out of jail on electronic monitoring awaiting sentencing on a gun possession charge when Wheeler was beaten.

Wheeler was found inside a 1995 Toyota Camry unconscious in the passenger seat, said Phyllis Banks, police spokeswoman. He was taken to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital for severe head trauma, she added.

"He was admitted and is currently being monitored," Banks said. "Detectives said he is in critical condition."

Detectives aggressively followed leads and developed the two suspects through witness interviews, Banks said. The case remains under investigation.

Anyone with additional information should call Crime Stoppers at (229) 436-TIPS (8477) or investigations at (229) 431-3288. The Spanish speaking APD-COP Tip Line is (229) 434-2677.

Crime Stoppers is an anonymous tipline. People with information could become eligible for cash rewards.