A Memphis robbery spree that started in January is now back in the hands of the courts after a tip to CrimeStoppers helped police zero in on a suspect tied to three convenience-store holdups. Investigators say the first reported incident happened Jan. 22 at a Family Dollar on Getwell Road, where surveillance video shows a man taking cash from the register and threatening to shoot the clerk if she moved. Still photos from that footage, along with images from other security cameras, helped narrow the search.
More than a week after the Getwell Road robbery, an anonymous caller finally put a name to the face. CrimeStoppers received a tip identifying the suspect as 26-year-old Jonathan Boyce. Investigators say warrants were then issued in all three robberies, and Boyce was arrested and charged with robbery and aggravated robbery. His bond was set at $200,000, as reported by Action News 5.
How the Tip Narrowed the Search
CrimeStoppers of Memphis and Shelby County says it serves as the confidential middleman between community members and police. The organization forwards anonymous tips to law enforcement and now takes information through both a secure app and a hotline, giving investigators a way to follow up while keeping the caller’s identity under wraps. That setup has helped clear a range of cases across the region and, when a lead checks out, can lead directly to warrants and arrests, according to CrimeStoppers of Memphis and Shelby County.
Charges, Past Record and Bail
Police booked Boyce on robbery and aggravated robbery charges, and his bond is listed at $200,000. According to news reports, Boyce has a lengthy history of prior charges, including arson, aggravated burglary, theft, fabricating evidence, other robbery cases, aggravated assault and a previous conviction for being a felon in possession of a handgun, per Action News 5.
Retail Crime in Broader Context
The case lands at a time when store owners and workers are already on edge. Retail theft and violence have climbed in recent years, according to industry research. The National Retail Federation reports significant increases in shoplifting incidents and more aggression during thefts, a combination that retailers and police say makes both prevention and investigation tougher. Those findings help explain why anonymous tip lines and clear video footage have become essential tools for solving these cases, as noted by the National Retail Federation.
What Happens Next
Boyce is awaiting initial court proceedings in Shelby County, where prosecutors will decide whether to pursue additional charges as detectives continue reviewing evidence. Officials are still asking for help from the public. Anyone with information about the robberies or who recognizes the suspect is urged to contact CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH (2274) or submit a tip online through CrimeStoppers of Memphis and Shelby County.
