In a shocking incident in Coffee County, Georgia, a 39-year-old man named Michael Lee Ansel has been arrested for threatening convenience store employees with a hatchet. The reason? He was angry that a pack of cigarettes advertised at $6 was actually being sold for $12.
The situation quickly turned dangerous, with Ansel allegedly making violent threats and trying to escape police by jumping into a pond.
Angry Over Cigarette Price, Threatens to ‘Send Them Back in a Box’
The incident happened around 7 p.m. on Sunday, when deputies were called to a convenience store on Highway 32. Witnesses said Ansel entered the store and started arguing loudly with staff about the cigarette prices.
According to the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, Ansel left the store twice, but came back the third time carrying a hatchet and threatened to shoot the employees. One of the threats he made included the disturbing statement: “Send them back in a box.”
Surveillance footage helped police identify Ansel, who has a long criminal record. By 9:30 p.m., detectives began searching for him.
Suspect Found, But Tries Escaping Into Pond
Deputies eventually located Ansel just before midnight. But when they tried to arrest him, he refused to cooperate and jumped into a nearby pond in an attempt to flee.
Things got more intense when Ansel suddenly began having a seizure in the water. Deputies acted fast, pulled him out, and provided medical help on the spot, making sure he wasn’t injured.
Weapon Identified: A Hatchet
After the incident, authorities confirmed that the weapon Ansel brought into the store was a hatchet. The employees were unharmed, but the situation was serious enough to file charges.
Ansel is now facing multiple charges including terroristic threats, acts of violence, and obstruction of law enforcement. He is being held without bond at the Coffee County Pre-Trial Detention Center.
A Criminal Past Spanning Two Decades
This wasn’t Ansel’s first run-in with the law. Records show he has multiple past convictions, including burglary, theft, and vehicle break-ins. His criminal activity goes back over 20 years, and he had only recently been released from Macon State Prison in August 2024.
What started as a simple argument over cigarette pricing turned into a dangerous situation. Michael Ansel’s aggressive behavior, combined with his violent threats and criminal background, made this case particularly alarming for the community.
Thanks to quick action from deputies, the situation was brought under control without harm to anyone. This case shows how even small disputes can escalate and why calm thinking is so important — especially in public places.
