Police said Wednesday one suspect believed to be part of a string of smoke shop burglaries has been arrested. But it's not yet known how many crimes he's been linked to, or how many other suspects were involved in the crimes across the metro Atlanta area.
Lionel Eugene Mickens, 23, of Smyrna, has been charged with burglary and is being held at the Cobb County jail, according to Officer Lisa Holland with Roswell police. Mickens is believed to have been part of a burglary early Monday at the Cigar Merchant in Roswell.
The Roswell robbery is one of nearly 30 across the metro area in recent weeks targeting cigar stores. Police have not said all of the crimes are linked, but all have followed a similar pattern. One suspect acts as a getaway driver and another throws a large rock through the door to make entry into the store before grabbing either the cash drawer or register, according to police and business owners.
A Stockbridge store was the latest targeted, Henry County police said Wednesday. A shop in the Eagle’s Landing area was hit early Wednesday in a similar fashion, according to Lt. Joey Smith. Twelve metro counties have reported similar crimes, according to police.
At the time of his arrest, Mickens was on parole, according to the Georgia Department of Corrections. A two-time convicted felon, Mickens was last released in September 2013 after serving nearly three years following a burglary conviction in Cobb County, records showed.
Investigators believe Mickens was driving either a silver 2011 Nissan Versa or possibly a black Honda Accord, Holland said.
Anyone with information on the crimes is asked to contact local police.
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