A DeKalb County 19-year-old could face decades in prison after police allege he kidnapped two women, including a 74-year-old, during a Family Dollar store robbery.

Jernel Davis is accused of forcing the two women inside the store, located on Snapfinger Road, on the evening of July 17, according to warrants released this week. He was arrested last Tuesday.

The suspect is said to have had his face covered with a shirt, tied there with a rubber bracelet.

READ: DeKalb parents charged with disabled toddler’s beating death seek bond

READ: Was it fear — or recklessness — that took down Jason Spencer?

READ: Good things coming for notorious, crime-infested DeKalb complex?

The warrants allege forcing the women inside made it less likely his robbery would be detected.

In the end, he made off with merchandise worth $300 and fled, police said. No injures were noted in the warrants.

Witnesses followed him to a nearby apartment complex, where people knew who he was, helping police take out warrants.

Davis remained in jail Tuesday on two counts of kidnapping, along with single counts of armed robbery and abuse of an elder person, records show. The kidnapping charges alone could send him away for 40 years, under Georgia law.

Like DeKalb County News Now on Facebook | Follow on Twitter

In other news: 

Police said the woman was pumping gas when a gray vehicle sped into the gas station at a high rate of speed.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Body camera footage captures Atlanta Sgt. Marc Theodule kicking a woman in the face as they wait for an ambulance to transport her for emergency mental health treatment on July 26, 2021. The woman repeatedly spit toward the sergeant while she was handcuffed and on the ground. (Atlanta Police Department)

Credit: Atlanta Police

Featured

U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff speaks to constituents during a Town Hall his office held on Friday, April 25, 2025, in Atlanta, at Cobb County Civic Center. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution/Jason Allen)

Credit: Atlanta Journal-Constitution