CORDELE, Ga. (WALB) - The Crisp County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) announced May 23 that they arrested a man on several charges including terroristic threats.

Officials said that terroristic threats prompted a local business to go on lockdown earlier in the day. The seriousness of the threats led the CCSO to respond along with the Special Response Team (SRT).

Suspect, Demeatrice Hardeman, 40, was found by officials at a residence in North Crisp County, CCSO said. Hardeman negotiated with officials for about two and a half hours before he fled from the residence in a vehicle, according to the sheriff’s office.

The suspect was then arrested just before noon following a traffic stop, CCSO said. Officials said there was a weapon in Hardeman’s vehicle.

Hardeman, who is from Cordele, now faces the following charges:

• Two counts of terroristic threats and acts
• Robbery
• Simple Assault
• Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
• Possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime

No further details were disclosed by the sheriff’s office. CCSO said this investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Copyright 2025 WALB. All rights reserved.