Suspect captured in Coolidge armed robbery

Published 8:00 am Tuesday, September 27, 2016

THOMASVILLE, Ga. — A suspect in a Thursday night Coolidge armed robbery was released from jail two weeks ago.

Barrington Mickens Jr., 34, 206 Gribben Street, is back behind Thomas County Jail bars after being captured Saturday in Thomasville.

Narcotics investigators learned where Mickens was hiding in Thomasville. Mickens ran, said Lt. Tim Watkins, Thomas County Sheriff’s Office chief investigator.

While jumping a fence, Mickens’ pants got caught. He was tased and taken into custody. “And he confessed,” Watkins said.

Mickens fell and hit his head during the capture. He was treated for a burst lip.

The victim at the Coolidge store told investigators the armed robber had tattoos on the right side of his face. Mickens has a number of tattoos on his face, including a cross on his forehead.

A long gun was used to hold up the store clerk, who turned over the cash register drawer to the suspect. A Thomasville Police Department canine found a single-shot shotgun and cash drawer near the store. Watkins said Mickens’ fingerprint was on the drawer.

Coolidge citizens gave lawmen a description of a vehicle believed to be connected to the stickup. The car was known to be used by Jonathan Bryant, 23, Rose Avenue, Coolidge, Watkins explained.

“He said he was forced to do this crime by (Mr.) Mickens,” Watkins said, adding that Bryant surrendered to authorities Saturday.

Sheriff’s office investigator Kevin Dennis said Mickens and Bryant are charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Mickens is a suspect in several burglaries and thefts in Thomasville.

“We were actively looking for him,” Maj. Maurice Holmes, Thomasville Police Department Criminal Investigations Division commander, said Monday.

Mickens will be charged with the city offenses, Holmes said.