Armed robber threatens elderly man on Cedar Shoals sidewalk

By Joe Johnson

Milton Johnson is a familiar sight in east Athens.

On a nearly daily basis the 67-year-old homeless man sits in a chair on the sidewalk outside of Choo Choo Express on Gaines School Road, holding a sign asking for money.

On the afternoon of July 23rd he was accosted by a skinny short black male with dreadlocks who told him, “Give the money up. If you don’t I’m gonna shoot you.”

When Johnson said he wasn’t going to give him any money the suspect lifted his shirt to show a gun tucked into his waistband.

Johnson yelled out to a woman who was near the restaurant that he was being robbed, at which time the suspect ran away on Cedar Shoals Drive and into the College Glen apartment complex.

Police unsuccessfully searched the area for the suspect.