DOUGLAS, Ga. — A Douglas man was arrested after allegedly stealing an iPad from Vista Park and later being found in possession of methamphetamine, according to the Douglas Police Department.
Police say Michael Jonathan Jowers, 31, was identified as a suspect after a Vista Park employee reported her iPad stolen from her bag on January 22, 2026. The employee told officers she arrived for work just before 7 p.m. and placed her bag near the 100 Hall area. When she returned a few hours later, the iPad was missing.
According to the report, Jowers was the only individual known to have been in the area during that time. Surveillance footage later showed Jowers leaving Vista Park around 8 p.m. with an item under his arm.
Park staff contacted Jowers, who frequently visits the park to see his mother, and asked him to return the iPad. He reportedly agreed and arrived at Vista Park shortly after 2 p.m. on January 23, where an officer was waiting. Jowers handed over the iPad and was immediately arrested for theft.
During the arrest, officers discovered an eyeglass case containing suspected methamphetamine. A responding drug officer later located a second container of suspected methamphetamine in Jowers’ shorts.
Jowers was charged with theft by taking and possession of methamphetamine. He was booked into the Coffee County Jail and later released on bond — $5,500 for the drug charge and $1,000 for the theft charge.
According to police, Jowers was also issued a notice barring him from returning to Vista Park for two months.
