Written by J. Tovar
Published January 18, 2023 @ 2:00 PM ET
Chatham County (December 3, 2022) – After a month-long investigation, police have arrested the man they say robbed an Augusta gas station at gunpoint for $9 and a pack of Newport cigarettes. It was just after 5 AM when Garden City Police said Jovonn Stokes walked into the Enmarket on Augusta Road wearing a face covering, sunglasses, and gloves.
Surveillance footage from the store showed a thin, black male, about six feet tall, wearing a hoodie and possibly Nike Air Max sneakers, enter the store.
An Enmarket employee told police when no one else was around, Stokes approached the register, pulled out a gun at waist level, turned it sideways, and said to him, “Give me all the money in the register.”
The employee handed Stokes the petty cash and asked if there was anything else he would like, to which Stokes responded, “a pack of Newport cigarettes.” Stokes took the items and then left the store. The employee activated the panic alarm telling police he was not able to trip the alarm during the robbery.
Police reviewed surveillance footage of the incident and confirmed with the store’s manager that Stokes left with only $9 from the register. Officers canvassed the area but found no one matching the description of Stokes the night of the robbery.
Subsequently, Stokes was later located and arrested on January 5, almost a month after the armed robbery. He was charged with aggravated assault, possessing a firearm during the commission of or attempting to commit certain felonies, armed robbery, and a state custody hold. He was booked into the Chatham County Detention Center and given no bond. This case is currently pending in court.
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.]
[NARRATIVE #1 on December 03, 2022]
On December 3, 2022 at 0506 hours, I responded to a panic alarm at the Enmarket, 4230 Augusta Road. On arrival, I made contact with the complainant, Mr. [VICTIM #1]. [VICTIM #1] advised he had just been robbed when I entered the gas station.
[VICTIM #1] pulled up surveillance video showing a thin, black male, approximately 6’00” tall, wearing black/charcoal gray pants and a black hooded sweater, with white and blue leather shoes, possibly Nike Air Max sneakers. The male entered the Enmarket parking lot appearing to cross Highway 21 from the area near Chatham City Apartments.
The suspect approached the store from the sidewalk on the North side of the business. The suspect was wearing a face covering, as well as sunglasses appearing to have metal frames either silver or gold. The suspect approached the cashier when no other parties were present in the store, and pulled a black semiautomatic pistol from his pocket with his right hand. The suspect held the pistol at waist level, orienting the pistol sideways pointed at the clerk. [VICTIM #1] said the suspect told him “Give me all the money in the register.”
[VICTIM #1] complied handing over petty cash from the register, undisclosed amount. [VICTIM #1] said he asked the suspect if he wanted anything else, and the suspect replied he wanted a pack of Newport cigarettes. [VICTIM #1] handed the suspect a pack of cigarettes, at which point the suspect exited the store walking across the parking lot heading North toward Highway 21 at approximately 0502 hours. The suspect was wearing gloves, and made no physical contact with any items or objects inside or outside of the store. [VICTIM #1] activated the panic alarm once the suspect left, stating he was unable to do so during the robbery.
I recorded the majority of the relevant surveillance footage, had [VICTIM #1] fill out a personal statement, and confirmed the total cash missing with the manager. Detective Rodriguez was contacted to investigate further. Officers canvassed the area finding no suspects matching the description in the area.
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #2 on January 05, 2023]
On January 5, 2023 at approximately 10:37 hours, Mr. Jovonn Stokes was arrested and served felony warrants by Detective Rodriguez (206). I then transported Mr. Stokes to the Chatham County Detention Center, where he was transferred into the custody of Chatham County Deputies without incident. Mr. Stokes did not receive a bond and will be arraigned at a later date.
[End of Narrative]