TIFTON — Local law enforcement agencies responded to several incidents over the weekend and at the beginning of the week, which included armed robberies, pointing of a firearm, arson, two runaway juveniles arrested, thefts and several vehicle break-ins.

According to an incident report filed at the Tifton Police Department, Officer Mike Gaskins was sent to J.R. Food Store on East Second Street in reference to an armed robbery. He reported that the owner, a 53-year-old man, advised that as he exited his store, he was approached by an unknown young black male approximately 6-feet tall and 170 pounds wearing black dress shoes, blue jean pants, a black T-shirt, a white bandana over his face and a white baseball cap.

As the offender approached the owner, he pulled a silver semi-automatic pistol out and pointed it at him stating that he wanted all of the money, he advised. He stated that he didn’t have any money, therefore, the offender took his wallet out of his pants, which contained $300 in cash, a debit card, his driver’s license and a membership card to Sam’s.

The owner reported that after the offender took his wallet, he went to his 49-year-old wife and demanded her purse. She advised that she didn’t have a purse, so the offender looked into her vehicle. When the offender didn’t locate anything in the vehicle, he fled the scene on foot traveling north.

The report states that no one was injured during the incident. In another matter, a man also reported early Tuesday morning that he was robbed at gunpoint on Bellview Circle.

Also, Officer Jason Klug reported Tuesday night that he responded to the 1200 block of North Love Avenue in reference to a vehicle fire. He reported that he found a white Ford pick-up truck engulfed in flames. He advised that as the Tifton-Tift County Fire Department arrived and began fighting the fire, a neighbor approached him and stated that he didn’t know who set the vehicle on fire. He advised that he thought the house was on fire.

The scene was turned over to the fire department, the report states. Klug stated that Lt. Tommy Garren has knowledge and experience on determining arsons and he advised that this particular incident was indeed an arson. Garren informed Klug that the fire started in the front driver’s seat.

The owner of the vehicle, a 42-year-old local man, told police that the front driver’s door was not locked at the time of the fire. He advised that he doesn’t have any enemies, nor any altercations with anyone in the area.

In an unrelated case, a man reported Sunday night that several juveniles were attempting to fight in the front yard of his residence in the 1100 block of South College Avenue. He advised that one of the juveniles pulled a gun and pointed it at him.

The man told police that the subject was cursing and waving the gun around. He described the subject as a black male around 5’1” tall and around 110 pounds between the ages of 13 and 15. The subject was also described as wearing a white, red and blue stripe shirt and brown cargo shorts. The man stated that the gun was a black semi-automatic. He advised that the subject left the scene heading towards South Ridge. The report states that officials searched nearby areas but couldn’t locate the juvenile.

In other unrelated cases:

• Two 14-year-old juvenile females from Gainesville, Fla. were arrested Tuesday afternoon at Auto Zone in the 100 block of East Seventh Street after a man unknowingly gave the two runaways a ride from Gainesville, Fla. to Tifton. The man told police that he was heading to Nashville, Tenn. to the airport. child was gone from the residence. Apparently, the father was there and had fallen asleep. The baby had woken up, went out the door and into the roadway, the report states.



To contact reporter Latasha Everson, call 382-4321.