19-year-old arrested after setting up meetings on Facebook Marketplace, robbing victims at gunpoint
VALDOSTA, Ga. – On July 21, 2025, at 3:30 p.m., Valdosta Police Officers responded to Spanish Mission Apartments after a citizen called E911 to report that he had been robbed at gunpoint. When officers arrived at the scene, the victim told them that he was attempting to sell a PlayStation 5 to a subject he met on Facebook Marketplace, when the subject pulled a firearm out and pushed it into his stomach. The victim reported that the offender grabbed the PlayStation 5 and walked away towards the apartments.
On July 23, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., Valdosta Police Officers and Detectives responded to the area of Spanish Mission Apartments for another armed robbery of a person. The victim reported that he had contacted a male on Facebook Marketplace to purchase a PlayStation 5. The victim reported that he had agreed to meet the seller at this location. He stated that he provided money to the offender, and instead of giving him the PlayStation, the offender produced a firearm and pointed it at him.
Detectives who were investigating the robbery from July 21st had developed a possible apartment where the offender may have lived. Officers with the Valdosta Police Department K9 Unit began tracking from the incident location. The K9 tracked to the area of the apartment that detectives connected to the previous robbery.
Officers and Detectives contacted the occupants of the apartment and located Clavon Deon Jones, 19, who matched the description of the offender. The victim identified Jones as the person who robbed him. Jones was taken into custody without incident.
Detectives obtained a search warrant for Jones’ apartment. During the execution of the search warrant, detectives found a firearm, the PlayStation stolen on the 21st, and other evidence connecting him to both robberies.
Jones was found to have an active arrest warrant, not related to this case. He was transported to Lowndes County Jail. Jones has been charged with two counts of armed robbery (felony) and two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony (felony).
Detectives are still investigating similar cases, and further charges may be pending.
“We strongly encourage people who are buying and selling items through social media to not go to anyone’s residence to make the exchange. We recommend that people meet in law enforcement parking lots, much like the one at the Valdosta Police Department. Not only are they well-lit and recorded, but law enforcement is always close by.” Said Chief Leslie Manahan.
If anyone has any further information on this case or any other cases, please get in touch with the Valdosta Police Department Bureau of Investigative Services at 229-293-3145, the Crime Tip Line at 229-293-3091, or file a tip online at www.valdostacity.com/police-department.
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