The suspect shot and killed by an off-duty deputy in December was involved in a string of bank robberies, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday.
Eric D. Roberts, 30, was attempting to rob Capitol City Bank & Trust Company in the 5600 block of Memorial Drive on Dec. 28 when he encountered a plainclothes investigator, who was there on personal business, authorities said. After identifying himself, the deputy ordered Roberts to drop his gun, but he refused and was shot, according to DeKalb sheriff’s spokesman Adrion Bell. While trying to flee, Roberts collapsed in the parking lot. He was transported to a local hospital, where he died.
Roberts has been connected to five other DeKalb heists, Bell said in a news release. According to authorities:
- He attempted to rob the Bank of America in the 1200 block of Columbia Drive on June 30, 2012.
- He tried to rob the Wells Fargo in the 6700 block of Covington Highway in Lithonia on Sept. 18.
- On Oct. 26, he stole nearly $3,500 from the Best Bank inside the Kroger in the 6600 block of Covington Highway.
- He took more than $5,200 from the Best Bank inside the Walmart in the 5400 block of Fairington Road in Lithonia on Nov. 14.
- Ten days later, he returned to the Best Bank inside the Kroger on Covington Highway and stole more than $1,200.
During the first two attempts, Roberts did not show a weapon but presented demand notes, authorities said. He was armed for the other three.
The veteran deputy who thwarted Roberts’ sixth bank robbery attempt told authorities that he was just doing what he was sworn to do as an officer, Bell said. His name will not be released.
About the Author
