Release:

On Friday, November 13, 2020, at approximately 6:04 pm., a Valdosta Police Officer was working extra duty at the Valdosta Mall. The officer was made aware of a shoplifting that had just occurred at Belk’s. The officer responded to where the offender, later identified as Cameron Chandler, was being stopped by a loss prevention officer after being observed concealing a bottle of cologne in his clothing. As the officer began to try to detain Chandler, he became physically and verbally combative. After a brief struggle, the officer was able to gain control of Chandler and hold him until other officers arrived to assist. When the other officers arrived on the scene, Chandler, who had been handcuffed behind his back, kept trying to reach in his pants pocket. Officers were able to control his hands, and they retrieved a handgun from the pocket that Chandler had been reaching for. While officers were trying to get Chandler in a patrol vehicle to transport him to Lowndes County Jail, he continued to resist officers by using his legs to push away from officers.

The handgun that was recovered from Chandler had been reported stolen through the Valdosta Police Department, earlier this year.

Chandler was transported to Lowndes County Jail, where he is being held on the following charges:

• Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon;
• Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony;
• Theft by receiving stolen property- felony; 
• Obstruction of an officer-felony;
• 3 counts obstruction of an officer-misdemeanor;
• Battery-misdemeanor; and
• Shoplifting-misdemeanor.

Further charges are pending.

The officer and the loss prevention officer both received minor injuries during the physical struggle.

“This was an excellent job by our officers in ensuring that this dangerous offender was taken into custody. No call for service is ‘routine’ for our officers, and this is proof as to how quickly events can change.” Chief Leslie Manahan