A meeting in the Walmart parking lot in Oakwood ended with one of two men posing as would-be buyers robbing the prospective seller. It happened about noon Saturday, according to Oakwood Police.
“I was dispatched to a rob bery by sudden snatching call at the Walmart located at 3875 Mundy Mill Rd.,” the responding officer wrote in his report. “The victim stated that his Glock 19 9MM was stolen from him at the Walmart parking lot by 2 black men who he met at (a nearby pawn shop) at approximately (noon).”
One of the suspects was soon identified as Jaheim Hayes, 22, and the other is currently yet to be identified, Oakwood Det. Lt. Stewart Webb said. Hayes was still being held in the Hall County Jail as late as Monday night in lieu of an $11,200 bond.
“The victim did meet the two suspects to buy a weapon,” Webb added. “They snatched it from him and fled the scene.”
And even though they met in broad daylight in a very public pace, Lt. Webb said that turned out not to be a wise move.
Lt. Webb’s advice?
“We recommend meeting at a police station in front of the building’s cameras for transactions like this.”
Gainesville Police have just such a place designated. It’s at headquarters on Queen City Parkway, complete with lights and cameras.