Guyton’s new public safety department saw an influx in crime this past weekend.

Last Friday around 8 p.m., Guyton police officer Josh Mosely received a call about an armed robbery on the 300 block of Anderson Street.

“Several” black men wearing masks approached the owner of Pizza Chef and one of his employees while they were on a delivery run. The perpetrators got away with an undisclosed amount of cash.

“We have persons of interest, lots of tips, good tips,” said Guyton Police Chief Randy Alexander. “I’m very pleased.”

Also last Friday, a Cherry Street resident reported that someone stole a weapon and ammunition from his property.

Saturday around noon, Officer Gary Jarriel responded to a citizen’s tip about three individuals who were located at the back loading dock of IGA, one reportedly with a weapon.

After approaching the three males, Jarriel noticed that one of young men had reached in his pocket.

“He told him to not move his hands and to get down on the ground,” said Alexander, who has seen the footage of the incident.

An Effingham County Sheriff’s deputy provided backup to the call and found a loaded weapon on the Guyton teenager.

The other two males were at least 18 years of age.

The weapon turned out to be the stolen gun from the robbery the night before.

Guyton Police charged the young man and took him to the regional youth detention center in Claxton.