Moultrians charged in Pavo robbery, suspected in others in Moultrie area

Published 5:36 pm Monday, December 11, 2017

MOULTRIE, Ga. — Three Moultrie men jailed on Sunday in Thomas County as suspects in a Friday night armed robbery in Pavo quickly attracted the attention of police in their home county.

Dontavious Tyriq Jenkins, 19, Rafael Spindola Merritt and Isaiah Dishawn Thomas, both 20, have been questioned by investigators with both the Colquitt County Sheriff’s Office and Moultrie Police Department, the agencies said.

The three men and a juvenile male were arrested in connection with a hold-up at the Dollar General store in Pavo.

The three adults also are suspects in an Oct. 13 robbery at a Moultrie Dollar General store, according to Moultrie police. Police were searching on Monday for a fourth man believed to have taken part.

“They are directly related to our robbery of Dollar General,” Moultrie Police Department Sgt. Justin Lindsay said. “They’re related to other armed robberies that were committed in other counties.”

Lindsay said he will take arrest warrants for the four suspects in that hold-up on charges of armed robbery and kidnapping.

During the robbery at the store at about 11:45 p.m. Oct. 13, two employees were held “against their will,” according to police, while four or five males took money from the safe and cash register.

Colquitt County officers are investigating whether the three were involved in an August robbery of the Dollar General on Highway 133 South.

“The one that happened in Pavo that Thomas County has four in custody (is) similar to the ones we’ve had,” Sgt. Ronald Jordan said. “We’ve been working with Moultrie and Thomas County to try to tie them in to the one that happened at Spence Field.”

On Friday, three males brandishing firearms entered the Pavo store at about 10:15 p.m. and demanded money, Thomas County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Tim Watkins said. Employees handed over an undetermined amount of money and the men left.

“A witness in the parking lot was able to provide law enforcement with a description of the vehicle and direction of travel,” Watkins said.

A Boston Police Department officer, who responded to assist deputies, spotted the car. While trying to escape pursuit the driver lost control and crashed, police said.

“The suspects ran into a wooded area,” Watkins said.

Assisted by the Georgia State Patrol, officers set up a perimeter around the area. A Thomasville Police Department dog assisted officers in a search of the woods.

Police identified Merritt as the driver from evidence gathered in the course of the search and investigation and he was arrested by Colquitt County deputies at his residence in Moultrie.

Thomas, Jenkins, and Merritt were identified after a search of the vehicle, according to Watkins.