Jonesboro Man Arrested at Dollar General for Indecent Exposure, Drug Possession

A Jonesboro man was arrested after store surveillance showed him allegedly exposing himself inside the Dollar General at 300 S. Gee St., an episode that underscores the vulnerability of frontline retail workers to lewd and drug-related conduct.

Police responded to a complaint of lewd conduct filed after the man entered the store and walked through aisles holding a rug in front of him while reportedly masturbating and watching a female customer. The suspect remained inside for about 10 minutes, and officers later found the rug and about $30 worth of damaged merchandise outside the store. Officers reviewed the store’s surveillance footage as part of their investigation.

Authorities located and stopped a vehicle matching the description from the incident and identified the driver as Jay Thomas. Thomas was on felony probation at the time of the stop. During a probation search, officers allege they found two orange pills described as "beach babe" in a cigarette pack. Thomas was arrested on a felony controlled-substance possession charge and was also charged with misdemeanor indecent exposure and criminal mischief. Bail was set at $35,000, and court procedures including a probable-cause hearing are pending. Records referenced in the case note prior indecent-exposure convictions for the suspect.

For Dollar General employees, the case highlights several workplace concerns. Frontline store teams routinely face unpredictable interactions with the public, and incidents that involve sexual misconduct and suspected drug possession raise immediate safety and liability questions for managers and corporate safety staff. Preserving surveillance footage, documenting complaints, and following established protocols for contacting law enforcement are essential steps that can protect employees and support prosecution when criminal behavior occurs.

Retail employers should consider reviewing site-level safety measures in light of incidents like this one. That may include refresher training for shift leads on de-escalation and reporting, clear guidance for when staff should evacuate customers or secure a store area, and checks on exterior lighting and visibility that can deter misconduct. Coordination with local police to clarify response expectations and timelines can also help teams feel supported when they call for help.

Beyond immediate security changes, repeated incidents involving the same individual can affect store morale and customer perceptions. Managers may need to address staff concerns directly, provide access to counseling or employee assistance programs where available, and communicate any temporary operational changes to the store team.

The case will proceed through the local court system. In the meantime, Dollar General workers at the Jonesboro location and similar stores should re-familiarize themselves with company safety policies and report any safety gaps to district management so measures can be adjusted before another incident occurs.