On Thursday, June 8, 2023 at 2:39 a.m., officers with the Swainsboro Police Department were dispatched by 911 to the 24 hour store at 437 South Main Street, Swainsboro, for a robbery. Emanuel 911 advised officers the offender was a black male, driving a silver Lexus. The vehicle left the store and headed north. PFC Austin Newton, along with other officers, went to the last known location of the offender. Sergeant Matthew Williams asked if any weapons were involved. Emanuel 911 responded that there were none. Officers combed the area, but were unable to locate the offender.
The owner of the store arrived on scene to pull video footage. Footage revealed the offender, a black male identified as Paul Johnson of a 350 Stevens Drive, Swainsboro address, pacing in the store, looking at the store clerk. He then walked behind the counter and grabbed money from the lottery register. He exited the store and got in the vehicle with another black male. Officers continued the search while Newton stayed with the victim and complainant. The total amount taken was approximately $100.
Later in the day, PFC Kayleigh McVey was patrolling the area looking for Johnson. Officers had been informed that Johnson had been seen near EnMarket wearing shorts, and a black tank top with a blue/green design. McVey spotted a black male walking up the hill from Days Inn wearing the same type clothes as described. McVey recognized the individual as Paul Johnson due to prior encounters. She alerted other units and drove around to Electric Road to intercept the suspect. McVey was on Electric Road at Lindsey Road when she spotted Johnson. CPL Todd Purcell arrived on scene about the same time McVey was attempting to stop and talk to Johnson. Johnson fled, running around obstacles on Glenwood Road to try to escape the officers. Purcell and McVey began a foot chase on Johnson. In the meantime, SFC Craig Waring and SFC James Young drove down Glenwood Road and were able to apprehend Johnson. McVey assisted Young in searching Johnson and found $126 in cash in Johnson’s shorts pocket.
While this was going on, 911 advised patrol units that another robbery had occurred at the Days Inn Hotel. The subject was described and fit the description of Johnson.
McVey, LT Coleman Hall and Young met with the complainant/victim in the lobby, where she was very upset. She explained that a black male entered the lobby, went into the restroom then came out and asked about room rates. He then went to the front door and stood there for a few minutes before walking outside. He returned inside and jumped over the counter, grabbed the victim and snatched her cell phone, demanding money from the register. The victim told officers the suspect told her not to call anyone. After the suspect left, the victim ran into the back office and waited a few minutes before emerging to call 911. She stated there was approximately $140 in the register and some cash was still in there.
When the hotel owner arrived, he pulled camera footage and verified everything the victim had stated. The robbery took place at approximately 3:57 p.m.
Paul Johnson has been charged with kidnapping – adult; robbery – business-strongarm; false imprisonment; and obstruction of an officer (x2).
