Two Standoff’s In Lavonia Result In Arrests
A Lavonia man, wanted for Aggravated Assault and a Probation Violation, is back behind bars after a short stand-off with police.
According to Police, it happened Sunday morning when officers tried to serve a search warrant at a residence on Maurice Way, formerly Shufford St.
According to reports, the suspect refused to come out of the residence and had a brief stand-off.
Deputies with the Franklin County Sheriff’s office and Troopers with the Georgia State Patrol assisted Lavonia Police.
The suspect, identified as Charles Mayfield of Lavonia eventually gave himself up and was taken into custody without incident.
Police say no one was injured and Mayfield surrendered peacefully.
A second stand-off happened Sunday night in Lavonia after a Commerce man barricaded himself in the home of his girlfriend.
According to Franklin County Sheriff Scott Andrews, on Sunday night at about 6:50p p.m., Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the Citgo in Lavonia in reference to a domestic dispute that began in Carnesville on Highway 106 earlier.
The victim reported to deputies that she had been assaulted by her boyfriend, stating he had allegedly hit her in the face and had a gun.
She told deputies he had also allegedly threatened to harm her and himself.
While on scene with the victim, Lavonia Police received a call stating that a male subject had barricaded himself in a residence on Rainbow Drive, which turned out to be the home of the victim.
The suspect, identified as 43-year-old William Gregory Ballenger of Commerce, refused to leave the home.
Lavonia Police blocked Rainbow Drive from Vickery St. to E. Main St. for traffic and the safety of the public.
After hours of unsuccessful negotiations, Georgia Power was called in to cut the power off to the home in an effort to get Ballenger to come out.
When that failed, a Georgia State Patrol SWAT team was called in and officers were able to get inside the house and arrest Ballenger with the assistance of Lavonia Police and the Georgia State Patrol.
Ballenger suffered minor injuries from a dog bite.
He was treated at a local medical facility before being transported to the Franklin County Jail.
Ballenger is charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault, Battery/Family Violence and Terroristic Threats and Acts.