Man in Ski Mask Arrested After Foot Chase Near Public in Leesburg
LEE COUNTY, Ga. — A man wearing a ski mask and carrying what appeared to be a handgun was arrested Saturday afternoon after leading deputies on a foot chase through a neighborhood and wooded area in Lee County.
On March 14, 2026, at approximately 2:38 p.m., deputies with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Seminole Avenue and Glendale Road in Leesburg, GA, after receiving a report of a suspicious man walking around wearing a black ski mask and holding what appeared to be a pistol.
Deputies quickly located a man matching the description on Glendale Road. When deputies gave verbal commands for him to stop, the suspect fled on foot.
Authorities say the man ran toward the Publix area, then back toward Glendale Road before crossing onto Creek Drive and Cherokee Drive. Deputies continued the pursuit into a nearby wooded area, where the suspect was eventually taken into custody without further incident.
During the chase, deputies said the suspect attempted to discard evidence. After searching the area between residences on Creek Drive, deputies recovered a Glock 19 model CO₂ BB pistol and a conducted energy device (taser) that had been thrown by the suspect while fleeing.
At the time of his arrest, deputies also recovered a black ski mask and a weapon-mounted light compatible with Glock-style handguns.
The suspect was identified as Malik Yoba Lawrence, who was transported to the Lee County Jail and charged with:
- Loitering and Prowling
- Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officers
- Wearing a Mask, Hood, or Device to Conceal Identity
- Simple Assault
- Tampering with Evidence
Authorities said deputies’ quick response and persistence helped bring the situation to a safe conclusion for the community.
“Pro-tip: dressing up like you’re about to commit an armed robbery and roaming around our county is a terrible idea,” said the Sheriff’s Office in a statement.
