A Stone Mountain man was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison Tuesday for robbing eight businesses and possessing a stolen firearm.
Laquan Smith, 24, stole more than $7,400 from two Dollar General stores, three Family Dollar stores, a Pet Supermarket, an Orbit video and a Subway, according to U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates.
“Over a short three-week span in December 2011, (Smith) — who was already on state parole for armed robbery and on bond for burglary — went on an armed robbery rampage in the Memorial Drive area, going so far as to tie up his victims during three robberies,” Yates said.
Authorities were able to catch Smith two weeks after he robbed a Dollar General on Dec. 27, 2011, because witness recorded the license plate number of the getaway car and reported it to law enforcement, according to Yates.
Smith pleaded guilty to the charges on Jan. 31, 2013. He was sentenced to 18 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. He also must pay a $900 fine.
Smith was aided by Troy Thomas during two of the robberies, authorities said. Thomas was sentenced to 11 years in prison.
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