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UPDATE: Arrest made in Monroe bank robbery
Monroe Bank Robber
Anyone with information is asked to contact MPD Captain Ricky Chambers at 770-870-9885. - photo by Staff Report
Jackie Gutknecht
Updated: Sep 7, 2017, 9:32 PM
Published: Sep 7, 2017, 7:40 PM

UPDATE (Sept. 7, 5:30 p.m.): Monroe Police Department (MPD) announced an arrest has been made in the Thursday morning bank robbery. 

Don Johnston, 35, was arrested without incident at 4:05 p.m., according to a MPD statement. 

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MONROE, Ga. - The Monroe Police Department (MPD) and Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI) are currently working on several leads in a morning bank robbery at SunTrust Bank, at 1990 W. Spring St., in Monroe.

The suspect reportedly handed a bank teller a note demanding money and left the scene with an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency, according to a MPD statement.

“The suspect is described as a heavily tattooed white male, possibly in his mid-30s to early-40s,” according to the statement.

Anyone with information is asked to contact MPD Captain Ricky Chambers at 770-870-9885.

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The Covington News will continue to update this report as information becomes available.
Sheriff’s Office seeks help identifying suspected arsonist
arson suspect ncso
The suspect is believed to be a young Black male who is pictured wearing a pastel t-shirt, dark pants and white shoes. - photo by Courtesy of the Newton County Sheriff's Office
Kate Verity
Published: Mar 13, 2025, 8:24 PM

NEWTON COUNTY — The Newton County Sheriff’s Office (NSCO) is seeking the community’s help in identifying and gaining information regarding an arson suspect. 

According to the NCSO, on Friday, March 7 at around 2:30 p.m., the pictured individual is believed to have deliberately started a fire at the Silos Clubhouse.

The NCSO is requesting that residents of the Ellington Community check their cameras during the Friday afternoon time frame. Videos can be emailed to alberto@newtonsheriffga.org.

If anyone has any information regarding the case, including recognizing the suspected arsonist, call Investigator Alberto at 678-625-1429.

There is no information currently available about the fire itself or any damage it may have caused. The Covington News has reached out to the NCSO and Newton County Fire Services for more information regarding the incident.