Suspect attempts robbery, throws down money, surrenders

Published 2:06 pm Tuesday, September 17, 2019

THOMASVILLE — The crowd standing at the front door of a Carroll Hill convenience store Monday night witnessed a would-be robbery by a would-be robber.

Police received a call at 8:23 p.m. about a robbery in progress at L&G Food Mart, 107 Old Albany Road.

According to a report, a Thomasville Police Department officer, approaching the front door of the business, encountered Jason Austin, who was attempting to flee. The officer saw cash on the floor and called for assistance.

A TPD incident report states Austin screamed that someone was going to kill him and became irate, grabbed a food rack and attempted to strike officers with it.

The suspect eventually was handcuffed and placed in a body restraint system. Austin was unsuccessful in an attempt to bite an officer on the arm.

Austin, 32, 415 E. Washington St., was transported to Archbold Memorial Hospital for evaluation. The incident report states the suspect might have been under the influence of a drug.

Police watched surveillance video and saw Austin walking around the inside of the store, go behind the counter and take loose cash laying on the counter after an employee prevented him from opening the cash register, then throw the money on the floor.

Bystanders and employees prevented the suspect from leaving the store before police arrived.

As police were gathering Austin’s belongings in the store, they came across a napkin on the floor by Austin’s shoe. A plastic wrapper inside the napkin contained a white powdery substance that field-tested positive for crystal methamphetamine, the incident report states.

Austin is charged with robbery, kidnapping/false imprisonment and obstruction by hindering law enforcement officers. 

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820