Bainbridge - An Edgewood Apartments man was beaten and robbed at gun point in the middle of the afternoon on Thursday. James Cooper told us that all he was concerned about was his 2-year-old son sitting right beside him when the gunman came through the back door of his apartment.

A friend of James Cooper, Marcea Halyard, drove him to pick up his paycheck and then they came back to his apartment. A little while later, Marcea borrowed his cell phone and walked out into the parking lot in front of the apartment and made a phone call.

While Marcea was on the cell phone out front, a masked male came through the back door with gun in hand. James stated that he typically keeps the back door locked, so he was surprised when someone came in.

James told us that the man approached him and started beating on him, and he raised his arms to protect himself and his 2-year-old son. He told the armed man "whatever you want just get it," and he pulled out his wallet and handed it to him. The man then fled out the back door with all of his cash from his paycheck.

Bainbridge Public Safety Officers were on scene quickly. Sheriff's Captain Chip Nix was close by and responded along with BPS Investigator Chris Jordan. Tracking dogs from ACI, Apalachee Correctional Institute in Sneads FL, was requested.

The dogs tracked the culprit to a path behind the apartments that cut directly through to "Mobile City." Along the path, the dogs tracked to the mask that the armed robber discarded. A short distance into the mobile home park, the dogs located all the robber's clothing discarded and hidden in the brush.

The suspect was not located in the area of several trailers to which the dogs tracked. BPS Investigator Chris Jordan collected the evidence for processing, and the investigation continues.

The friend, Marcea Renarda Halyard, 28, of 829 Washington Street was arrested April 30 for criminal trespass and in December for forgery in the first degree.

Cuthbert - Commissioner of Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Chris Clark was at George T. Bagby State Park Lodge May 13 for a scheduled visit, saying the words everyone wanted to hear. Bagby will stay open. Clark brought with him from DNR, Chief of Operations Wally Woods; James Hamilton, lodge region manager; and Paul Nelson, chief of administration.

State Representative Gerald Greene, Clay County Development Chair Trey Anderson and Clay County Commissioners had all spread the word.

Blountstown - Two Blounstown men are behind bars accused of robbing a convenience store clerk at gun point Friday night.

Shacarrio Poitierm, 18, and Jonathan Earl Holmes, 21, have both been charged in the case.

According to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, authorities responded to the Pit Stop on SR 20 West just before 10:30 p.m. The clerk advised two black males entered the store wearing dark clothing and bandannas over their faces. One of the men allegedly pointed a firearm at her head and began yelling at her. The woman said she initially thought they were joking, and she grabbed the gun, then realized it was real. The clerk fell to the floor and was then dragged behind the counter. She alleged one man held her at gunpoint while the other took approximately $800 from the cash register. The men fled, and the clerk called 911.

A K-9 unit was called in and tracked the two to a home nearby where the two were arrested.

Donalsonville - On Monday morning, March 29, Officer Josh Suggs of the Donalsonville Police Department responded to a burglary at Top Priority Hair Salon, located at 321 North Henderson Avenue. Officers Suggs noticed that the suspects had forced their way into the building. The owner stated that several items had been stolen.

Investigator Chad Robinson was called, and he processed the scene for evidence. After a lengthy investigation by Robinson and investigator Greg Long, four local suspects were arrested and charged with burglary. They are Bryant Rainey, Cornelius Henderson, JaMichael Moore and one juvenile male. All are Donalsonville residents.