A Long County man was recently arrested and charged with armed robbery and false imprisonment after threatening a man and a several juveniles in Ludowici.

Ludowici police Chief Robert Poppell said James Bowman, 28, was arrested Nov. 24 for allegedly pulling a pistol on an 18-year-old and three teenagers at his home on Oct. 31.  

Poppell said that, according to the investigation, Bowman allegedly threatened to kill them if they did not give him their money. The 18-year-old gave Bowman $60. Poppell said that shortly afterward, all four were able to run away from the home.  

Poppell said the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called in to assist with the investigation, and on Nov. 24, Bowman was arrested and charged with armed robbery and false imprisonment. Poppell said a $25,000 bond was set for the charges and that Bowman was released after posting it.

On Nov. 28, a Ludowici police officer pulled over a vehicle around 11:45 p.m. to check discrepancies with the vehicle’s license plate. The stop occurred on Cypress Street, and the driver was Jovan Colon, Poppell said. The chief said that during the stop, the officer smelled what he thought was marijuana. He said marijuana was found in the vehicle, which is owned by Adrian Shipman, who was a passenger. Poppell said Shipman was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana, and Colon was charged with failing to maintain insurance.

On Dec. 4, another alleged theft occurred at the Family Dollar on Highway 84. Nicole Jones, 33, was seen by one of the employees placing merchandise in her purse, Poppell said. When Jones was questioned, she produced the stolen merchandise and apologized, the chief said. Jones was arrested and charged with theft by shoplifting and served with criminal trespass papers warning her not to go back to the store.