Mario Barnes

Name:
Barnes, Mario Quentez

Date of Booking:
11/11/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
DISORDERLY CONDUCT

WILLFUL OBSTRUCTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]

On November 11th, 2025, I, DS Poe was dispatched to 53 Poplar Road the Stop N Go Food Mart in reference to a delayed report of cash theft that occurred on November 8th, 2025. When I arrived on scene I met with the manager Mr. [WITNESS #1] who advised that two males entered the store during operational hours one worked as a look out/ distraction while Mr. [WITNESS #1] was outside having a smoke break while the other committed the act of stealing $1,800 in cash.

I, DS Poe, was at the 53 Poplar Road the Stop N Go Food Mart in reference to a lawful investigation. In the course of my investigation the Manager Mr. [WITNESS #1] pinpointed a male later identified as Mr. Mario Barnes, a patron of the store during the time of my investigation, as an individual who may have knowledge of the scene and the perpetrators of the theft that occurred. At this time, I re-entered the store to speak to Mr. Barnes due to the Mr. [WITNESS #1] advising he knows the names of the perpetrators and that is relevant information to my current investigation, the Criminal Investigations Unit, and the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office in positively identifying that perpetrators.

When I initially entered that store to speak to Mr. [WITNESS #1] a male, later identified as Mr. Mario Barnes, stated, unprovoked, something to the effect of “I’m not involved.” I spoke with Mr. [WITNESS #1] to gather further information then re-entered the store to speak to Mr. Barnes and he was sitting down at one of the slot machines or casino games placed in gas stations and convince stores when I approached him. I asked Mr. Barnes if he knows the perpetrators names, and he advised, no. It is to be noted that Mr. Barnes immediately raised his voice in speaking to me in the start of our conversation.

I asked Mr. Barnes for his Driver’s License as an Investigator may want to speak with him in reference to this case. Mr. Barnes refused to produce a Driver’s License after I gave him multiple commands to do so. Eventually, Mr. Barnes stated he did not have his Driver’s License on him and refused to give me his name and date of birth (DOB). Further Mr. Barnes requested a Sgt. to the scene and I requested Sgt. Lamb respond.

In waiting for Sgt. Lamb to arrive Mr. Barnes continued to yell at me and at Mr. [WITNESS #1]. Mr. Barnes was verbally upset that Mr. [WITNESS #1] advised that he has information pertaining to the theft on November 8th, 2.025. Mr. Barnes made statement to the effect of “why would you involve me?” to Mr. [WITNESS #1]. Additionally, Mr. Barnes continued to refuse to give me his name and DOB after I asked for it several more times, he yelled, stood up and down, hit his chest with his hands, and span and flail his arms out. Mr. Barnes used the following language during this time while other patrons were present in the store: “deada*s, sh*t, fu*k, fu*king, etc.” The manner in which Mr. Barnes’ was conducting himself resulted in other patrons to exit the store, enter their vehicles, and leave.

Further, Mr. Barnes began to made a phone call to the owner of the store and stated on the cell phone to the owner that he was not involved. At this time, Mr. Barnes’ had family members including his Mother arrive who encouraged him to not speak to me. Due to Mr. Barnes’ being visibility upset and his physical actions along with other, uninvolved parties beginning to arrive, I requested backup units to run blue lights and sirens to my location. Further, due to these observations and Mr. Barnes actions I choose to wait to place Mr. Barnes into custody until another unit arrived for Willful Obstruction of Law Enforcement and Disorderly Conduct. Just before a unit arrived to back me up Mr. Barnes requested if he could step outside to which I advised, no to avoid Mr. Barnes possibly attempting to flee by foot or vehicle.

When Sgt. Lamb arrived on scene I advised Mr. Barnes to stand up, place his hand behind his back, and advised him he was under arrest. I placed the left handcuff on first and Mr. Barnes held his right hand out up and out to his side instead of placing it behind his back as commanded to. Once both cuffs were placed on I checked for fit and double locked them. Sgt. Lamb escorted Mr. Barnes to the back of my patrol car to conduct a search of his person at which time Mr. Barnes was not compliant. Lt. McEachern, Sgt. Lamb, and myself held Mr. Barnes with the front of his body pressed against the side of my marked patrol vehicle in order for Sgt. Lamb to conduct a search of his person.

I advised Mr. Barnes he is under arrest for Obstruction and Disorderly Conduct. It is to be noted that Mr. Barnes never provided his name or DOB to me and a Newnan Police Department Off. White sent me his information due to familiarity with the subject.

[End of Narrative]