Published: Saturday, August 22, 2009
Lake Stevens man suspected in 30 robberies
EVERETT — A Lake Stevens man is accused of committing as many as 30 armed robberies in Snohomish and King counties.
Brandon J. Smith, 24, told investigators he robbed tanning salons, adult video stores and gas stations to feed a $300-a-day drug habit, court papers said. Smith said he was addicted to Oxycontin, a strong prescription pain killer.
Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Craig Matheson on Friday charged Smith with 10 counts of first-degree robbery. Smith is being held in the county jail on $1.5 million bail.
The crime spree began in July, about a month after Smith was fired from his longtime job at Nintendo for theft, Matheson wrote.
Smith used the same method in his robberies, court papers said. He allegedly entered a business, looked around to make sure there were no customers and then feigned interest in the business’ services or asked for change. He’d pull out a gun, point it at the employee and then demand money, Matheson wrote.
He told investigators he never used a real handgun because he was concerned that if he was caught he’d get more prison time for having used a weapon in the commission of a crime. He also told detectives that he would get rid of the clothing he was wearing after each robbery. He said he was running out of clothes, Matheson wrote.
Police caught up with Smith after his mother recognized him from surveillance video broadcast on television. She called police and told investigators where he was living with his girlfriend, court papers said.
Brandon J. Smith, 24, told investigators he robbed tanning salons, adult video stores and gas stations to feed a $300-a-day drug habit, court papers said. Smith said he was addicted to Oxycontin, a strong prescription pain killer.
Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Craig Matheson on Friday charged Smith with 10 counts of first-degree robbery. Smith is being held in the county jail on $1.5 million bail.
The crime spree began in July, about a month after Smith was fired from his longtime job at Nintendo for theft, Matheson wrote.
Smith used the same method in his robberies, court papers said. He allegedly entered a business, looked around to make sure there were no customers and then feigned interest in the business’ services or asked for change. He’d pull out a gun, point it at the employee and then demand money, Matheson wrote.
He told investigators he never used a real handgun because he was concerned that if he was caught he’d get more prison time for having used a weapon in the commission of a crime. He also told detectives that he would get rid of the clothing he was wearing after each robbery. He said he was running out of clothes, Matheson wrote.
Police caught up with Smith after his mother recognized him from surveillance video broadcast on television. She called police and told investigators where he was living with his girlfriend, court papers said.
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