ATHENS-Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson released a statement concerning an incident involving a knife on the evening of Sunday, December 10:
“Last night the police department received a call of a cutting at the U wash at the intersection of Clinton Street and Forrest Street.
The caller told the dispatcher one person had left going east on Forrest Street. Officer Jarod Smith observed a vehicle fitting the description of the offender at Hwy 31 and Forrest Street. Smith stopped the vehicle at Rooster’s on Hwy 31. The driver of the vehicle Melony Cook told Smith she was at the laundromat and got in a fight. She was bleeding from a cut on her lip.
Cook was transported by ambulance to Athens Limestone Hospital.
Smith then went to the laundromat and talked to the other person involved. He told Smith Cook had been at the laundromat asking almost everyone inside for $20.00. He said he offered her some quarters but she said she needed more. He said he went to the bathroom and she came in the bathroom demanding $20.00 then stabbed him in the leg with a knife. They got in a struggle over the knife and that’s when Cook got her injury.
Investigator Mickey Hart was able to work with management and view the video and determine what had occurred.
After Cook was released from the emergency room she was interviewed at the police department and charged with robbery first degree and second degree assault. Cook was booked and transferred to the county jail.”
