Police Respond to Multiple Armed Robbery Reports at Dollar General Stores

Multiple armed robbery reports at Dollar store locations in different states have placed renewed attention on worker safety and local law enforcement response plans.

Law enforcement agencies in Delaware, Florida and South Carolina are investigating separate armed-robbery incidents at Dollar General stores, while a police dispatch feed and a social media post describe additional, less-detailed responses. The most detailed cases include a December 2, 2025 incident in Townsend, Delaware, and a December 2 incident in Lake City, Florida, both involving alleged weapons and police follow-up.

Delaware State Police said troopers responded at approximately 9:30 p.m. on December 2, 2025, to a robbery at the Dollar General at 4831 Dupont Parkway in Townsend. Investigators say an unknown black male displayed a handgun, demanded money, took an employee toward an office area where a second employee was present, attempted to kick open a secured office door and then fled on foot when he learned police were responding. No one was injured. The suspect is described as a thin black male wearing a black ski mask and dark clothing. Troop 2 Robbery Unit investigators are handling the case; Det. J. Dempsey can be reached at (302) 365-8472. Tips may also be sent via private message to the Delaware State Police or to Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333. Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit and the Delaware Victim Center are available at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461) and via email at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.

In Lake City, police say officers initially responded to a Dollar General on Northeast Bascom Norris Drive on Dec. 2 at around 6:30 p.m. A store employee told investigators that a man later identified as Aljowan Jones of Lake City walked out with alcohol without paying, was confronted by the employee, then “lifted his shirt to reveal the handgun in his waistband and threatened to kill the employee.” Officers searched Cedar Park Apartments that evening and located and arrested Jones about a week later. He was charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and petit theft. Chief of Police Gerald Butler praised detectives and partner agencies, saying, “I am proud of the persistence our detectives showed in this case and grateful for the strong partnership we have with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. Their assistance in locating and safely apprehending this armed suspect was critical, and this is a clear example of how working together keeps our community safer.”

Other incidents include a May 5 report in York County, South Carolina, in which four juveniles entered a Dollar General off Highway 321 around 8:50 p.m., approached the counter with a knife, demanded money and left with merchandise; two juveniles have been arrested and are facing charges including armed robbery, criminal conspiracy, shoplifting and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. York Police Department Lt. Sean Bailey said, “The clerk was able to kind of able to fend off this juvenile by saying some choice words to him, and then he took off out of the store.” Police urged employees to contact law enforcement and to follow employer policy to protect themselves and their livelihood.

A social media post cited by local authorities placed a September 9, 2025 armed robbery at the Dollar General at 1201 Elm Street W., Hampton, at about 9:45 p.m.; that post said, “There were no reported injuries and no suspect was been identified.” A local dispatch feed published Jan. 30 also noted officers were dispatched to a Dollar General after a reported armed robbery; the dispatch gave no further detail in the excerpt.

For frontline workers, these incidents underscore the physical risk of confronting shoplifting and the importance of employer safety policies, incident reporting and rapid police notification. Investigations remain active in several jurisdictions and police are asking anyone with information to contact local agencies or tip lines listed above. Retail employers and managers should review training, de-escalation protocols and emergency reporting procedures as investigators continue to pursue leads and arrests.