Recently Released Inmate Arrested After Threatening Mother and Child with BB Gun at Statesboro Walmart

STATESBORO, Ga. — A man who had been released from prison just one day earlier was arrested Tuesday afternoon after allegedly breaking into a display case at Walmart, stealing a BB gun, and threatening a mother and child inside the store.

At approximately 12:47 p.m., Bulloch County 911 received multiple calls reporting a male with what appeared to be a firearm inside the Walmart located at 147 Northside Drive East.

Officers with the Statesboro Police Department arrived within two minutes of the initial call. Walmart employees had isolated the suspect in the Garden Center area, allowing officers to take him into custody without further incident. The store was temporarily closed while police conducted their investigation and ensured the safety of staff and customers.

Investigators determined the suspect entered the store, retrieved a tool, and used it to break into a locked glass display case to access a BB gun. He then approached a female customer and her child in what police described as a threatening manner.

Witnesses and store personnel later confirmed the weapon was a BB gun and not a functioning firearm. The mother and child, who did not know the suspect, were able to flee and were not injured.

The suspect was identified as 40-year-old Nathaniel Anthony Jones, formerly of Portal, Georgia. Police said Jones had been released from the custody of the Georgia Department of Corrections on February 9 after serving a sentence for burglary.

Following an interview with detectives, Jones was transported to the Bulloch County Jail. He has been charged with Aggravated Assault and Burglary in the Second Degree. Authorities say he remains in custody with a hold placed on his release.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information or video footage of the incident is encouraged to contact Senior Detective Cross at 912-764-9911. Anonymous tips may also be submitted via the department’s website at https://statesboropd.com/ by clicking the “Submit a Tip” link.