Lemont Brinson
Destinee Johns

CARBONDALE, IL. (WJPF) – Two Marion residents were arrested in Carbondale after police say they stole merchandise from Best Buy and threatened bystanders with a gun.

According to the Carbondale Police Department, 20-year-old Lemont Brinson and 19-year-old Destinee Johns entered the electronics store shortly before 2:00 PM Wednesday and left with over $200 in merchandise they didn’t pay for. When store employees confronted the pair, they fled the scene.

About an hour later, police received police received a report of someone pointing a handgun at people near the Dollar General on Giant City Road.

Within minutes, police located Brinson and Johns and both were taken into custody. Police found an infant child in the vehicle with them. Also in the vehicle was the stolen merchandise from Best Buy, a handgun, and narcotics.

Lemont Brinson was charged with Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Aggravated Assault, Possession of Stolen Firearm, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Child Endangerment, and Retail Theft. He was incarcerated in the Jackson County Jail.

Destinee Johns was charged with Retail Theft and Child Endangerment. She posted bond and was released.