Man Arrested After Alleged Indecent Exposure Inside Dollar General

JONESBORO, Ark. — A man was arrested after police say he exposed himself and masturbated inside a Jonesboro Dollar General while causing property damage and later being found in possession of illegal pills.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Jonesboro police were dispatched at approximately 9:40 p.m. on Jan. 12, 2026, to the Dollar General located at 300 S. Gee St. in reference to a lewd conduct complaint.

Advertisement
Advertisement

The complainant told officers the store had surveillance video showing a male subject walking through the store holding a rug in front of him while allegedly masturbating and appearing to watch a female customer. The affidavit states the suspect remained inside the store for approximately 10 minutes before leaving.

The complainant provided officers with a suspect and vehicle description. Police later located the rug allegedly used during the incident outside the store, along with damage to merchandise valued at approximately $30.

Officer Greg Trout reportedly observed the suspect vehicle a few minutes later near Main Street and Johnson Avenue and followed it to a gas station, where the license plate matched the description provided. The driver was identified as Jay Thomas, who police determined was on felony probation.

During a probation search of the vehicle, officers located a cigarette pack containing two orange pills stamped with a “beach babe” outline. Police said the pills were suspected to be ecstasy. Officers later confirmed through video review that the same individual seen in the store was the person stopped, based on matching clothing, including a hat and a dark blue work shirt.

Thomas was taken to the Craighead County Detention Center and held pending a probable cause hearing. Court records show Thomas has two prior convictions for indecent exposure, including one from Trumann in 2023 and another from Paragould in 2024.

Thomas was arrested on a felony charge of possession of a Schedule I or II controlled substance, not methamphetamine or cocaine, as well as misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief and indecent exposure.

Bail was set at $35,000. Judge Tommy Fowler noted Thomas’s lengthy criminal history during the hearing.

Thomas’ next court date is scheduled for Feb. 27.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.