VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) - 19-year-old Clavon Deon Jones was arrested after Valdosta Police Department (VPD) said he was setting up meetings on Facebook Marketplace, then robbing victims at gunpoint.

On July 21, 2025, at 3:30 p.m., Valdosta Police officers responded to Spanish Mission Apartments after a citizen called 911 to report that he had been robbed at gunpoint.

According to VPD, the victim told officers that he was attempting to sell a PlayStation 5 to a person he met on Facebook Marketplace when the person pulled a firearm out and pushed it into the victim’s 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., officers and detectives responded to the area of Spanish Mission Apartments for another armed robbery. The victim in that case reported that he had contacted a man on Facebook Marketplace to purchase a PlayStation 5. The victim reported that he had agreed to meet the seller near Spanish Mission Apartments. The victim told VPD 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 21 had developed a possible apartment where the offender may have lived. They were able to confirm Jones’ identity and location. They searched his apartment and found a firearm, the PlayStation stolen on July 21, and other evidence connecting him to both robberies.

Lisa Figueroa lives in Spanish Mission Apartments. She said property management is doing what they can to respond to crime, but she’s buying a home and moving to a new location.

“Well, that’s not the first time I’ve heard there’s been kids walking around with guns,” Figueroa said. “If I don’t feel safe where I’m at, it’s time to go.”

For buyers and sellers on Facebook Marketplace, they say this is a reminder to take extra precautions when planning meet ups.

Dolores Perry said, “I’m always very precautious, and I try to park near the exits or close to everything where it is lit. And I always shop between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. If it’s after 6 p.m. or it’s dark, they can’t do any business with me.”

Jones was found to have an active arrest warrant unrelated to this case. He was transported to the 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).

In VPD’s Facebook statement on Monday, July 28, Chief Leslie Manahan said:

“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.”

If anyone has any further information on this case or any other cases, they are encouraged to get in touch with the Valdosta Police Department’s Bureau of Investigative Services at 229-293-3145, the crime tip line at 229-293-3091, or file a tip online here.

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