AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Richmond County deputies are seeking two 17‑year‑olds believed to be armed and dangerous after a theft.

Both teens are wanted in connection to an incident on the 3500 block of Primrose Drive on Tuesday.

One teen is wanted for questioning only, the other has active warrants through the sheriff’s office

Dominique Exilus, 17, is wanted for felony theft by taking in relation to the incident.

The subject wanted for questioning only is 17-year-old Ciara Simpson.

Authorities said both teens are believed to be in possession of multiple stolen firearms and should be considered armed and dangerous.

Exilus is described as about 5-foot-5 and 150 pounds and Simpson is described as 5-foot-9 and 145 pounds.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at 706-821-1085 or 706-821-1080.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – An Augusta business gave away toys to kids in the community one night before Christmas Eve, despite not being able to open this holiday season.

Orange Hand Vintage gave away bikes and toys on Tuesday while helping to pay bills for some people in need.

Brandon Jackson, who is employed at Orange Hand Vintage, said the business went to Walmart to load up on more items.

“Then I went back to the list, and I scrolled through. And those that touched my heart are the ones that we ended up helping,” Jackson said. “We’re planning to still help some, depending on what it is that they’re asking for. We’re just trying to do as much as we can.”

The store is expecting to open in late January or early February.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Work is moving along for the Augusta Arena, with less than two years remaining until the project is finished.

Funded by a half-penny sales tax approved by voters, the former James Brown Arena was torn down to make way for a space to hold more than 10,000 seats and eventually host hockey in the Garden City once again.

Officials said they have finished pouring the third level of concrete where the suites will be and are now working on the fourth level, the upper concourse.

Brad Usry, vice chairman of the Augusta Richmond County Coliseum Authority, said the progress is great after years of planning.

“In one word, it’s satisfaction. I mean, we’ve been working on this thing for over 10 years. So to finally see it going up and people seeing the fruits of our labor, it’s really nice,” Usry said.

The new Augusta Arena is starting to take shape as crews pour concrete, with the steel frame coming in a few months.

“We’re talking 900 feet long, three football fields long. The old arena was 50 feet tall. This arena is going to be close to 100 feet tall,” Usry said.

The arena’s impact could extend beyond entertainment, according to businesses on Broad Street.

Richard Sanders, manager of the Downtown Corner Store that opened this summer, said business is struggling, but the new arena could breathe life back into the area.

“A lot of the businesses that focus on either foot traffic or people just come at like, whether it’s a bar, restaurant. I mean, they’re all struggling right now,” Sanders said.

Sanders said events at venues like the Bell Auditorium already help local businesses.

“Once it opens, I mean, even when, I mean, even when they do stuff at the Bell, it helps. When they did stuff at the old Civic Center or James Brown Arena, it helped,” Sanders said.

Michael Weldon, owner of Psychotronic Records on Broad Street, said major acts bring new customers to his store.

“The first show I went to was Alice in Chains. And the last show that we went to, there was Cheap Trick and ZZ Top,” Weldon said of the former arena.

“When there’s a good show by a name artist in town, no matter where they’re playing, we get people in here that maybe are here for the first time,” Weldon said.

Usry said the project remains on time and on budget.

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