Man calls E-911 for ride to liquor store

Local St. Augustine reporters at Historic City News have learned that on three occasions Saturday, police were dispatched to 12 Anastasia Boulevard to respond to E-911 hang-up calls.

Just after 8:00 p.m. Saturday night, Police Officer Matt Mitchell made contact with George Darnell McMurrain, a 53 year-old homeless man who was temporarily staying in a room at The Budget Inn.

When police responded to the second E-911 call from McMurrain, he was asking for a ride to the liquor store. McMurrain was warned that if he continued to call the emergency number for non-emergencies, he would be arrested for abuse of E-911 services.

Officer Mitchell was standing in the doorway talking to McMurrain, when he observed a small amount of marijuana in plain view.

Community Affairs Officer Barbara Stevens of the St. Augustine Police Department reports that McMurrain was taken into custody and charged with misusing E-911 and possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana.

McMurrain is still in custody at the St. Johns County Detention Facility until he posts a $400 appearance bond.