by COFFEE COUNTY, Ga. – A 39-year-old Georgia man is facing multiple charges after he allegedly threatened to kill convenience store employees with a hatchet over the price of cigarettes, according to the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office.
The man, identified as Michael Lee Ansel, is charged with terroristic threats and acts and obstructing law enforcement officers. He is currently being held at the Coffee County Pre-Trial Detention Center without bond.
What Happened
On Sunday evening around 7 p.m., deputies responded to an armed robbery call at a convenience store along Highway 32. Witnesses told officers that a man entered the store and became aggressive when he discovered that cigarettes advertised for $6 were actually selling for $12.
According to officials, Ansel left the store twice and returned a third time armed with a hatchet, threatening employees by saying, “I’m gonna shoot both of y’all” and later declaring, “Send them back in a box.”
The Arrest and Resistance
By around 9:30 p.m., deputies had reviewed surveillance footage and identified Ansel as the suspect. A search began, and he was located shortly before midnight.
When deputies approached him, Ansel reportedly jumped into a nearby pond to avoid arrest. As they attempted to pull him out, he began having a seizure, according to law enforcement.
Deputies said they were able to safely remove him from the water without injury. It was confirmed that Ansel had entered the store carrying a hatchet during the threats.
Criminal Background
Ansel has an extensive criminal history dating back over 20 years, including convictions for burglary, theft, and entering a vehicle with intent to commit a felony. He had been released from Macon State Prison on August 11, 2024, just weeks before the incident.
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