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

An image of fallen DeKalb firefighter Preston Fant is displayed as metro Atlanta firefighters and the community come together for a memorial service in his honor at Truist Park, Thursday, September 18, 2025, in Atlanta. The 21-year firefighting veteran died Sept. 8 after battling a fire at a film company warehouse. He became trapped in the blaze while trying to rescue another firefighter. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: Arvin Temkar / Arvin.Temkar@ajc.com

Featured

Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com