Laundromat robber: I’m glad you caught me

A Jonesboro man caught early Wednesday in the act of breaking into coin-operated dryers had conflicting emotions when police arrived, Clayton County police said.

Spokeswoman Lt. Rebecca Brown said Shaun Colby Jackson, 31, used a variety of tools but mostly a hammer about 1 a.m. to break into four dryers at Tara Woods Apartments in Jonesboro. He managed to pocket $23.75 before police showed up, she said.

A witness reported hearing banging from inside the locked laundry. The banging continued as officers arrived. Police said they could see a man hammering on the coin boxes and they broke in the door to arrest him.

“I’m glad you caught me,” Jackson said, according to a police report. “I’m glad you’re here and you caught me doing this.”

But once inside the patrol car on the way to the Clayton County Jail, Jackson was kicking himself, telling police, “That was (expletive deleted) stupid. I’m out here banging on a freaking damn washer for a felony. Damn.”

According to Clayton court records, Jackson is no stranger to the justice system. He has outstanding drug and fighting charges pending in State Court from Dec. 21.