Police Say Suspect Robbed a Sporting Goods Store

CONYERS, Ga. - Conyers Police said thanks to an alert officer, they've been able to identify a suspect in last weekend's armed robbery at a sporting goods store.

Police said Jimmy Mathis encountered an officer outside of Hibbett Sports on Saturday night. Apparently, Mathis told the officer his car needed a jump-start. The officer jumped Mathis's car and then left; however, not before taking down Mathis's information.

Investigators said less than thirty minutes later, that same officer responded to an armed robbery call at the sporting goods store. Police said the suspect entered the store's back door, then forced employees at gunpoint to open up the cash drawer.

Upon hearing the employees' description of the suspect, police said the officer knew it was Mathis, who he had just encountered.

"We want our son to call us, get in touch with us, so we can go with him so he can turn himself in," said Mathis's mother, Victoria Lester.

She spoke with FOX 5 News and said she worries about her son's safety now that he is on the run.

There is currently a $2,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest for Mathis. Anyone with further information should contact the Conyers Police Department.