Economy, Drugs or Both? 30 Armed Robberies!!!
It’s not just in major cities like Seattle that drugs and the economy have driven people to desperate criminal measures. The spectre of drug addiction is present in nearly every large criminal case I’ve seen. And adding to it these tough economic times only serves to make it easier to feel so hopeless that you have to go off and do something to survive. Consider that Lake Stevens is a small community not unlike Lynnwood, Bothell, Mill Creek, Lake Forest Park, and that crime happens everywhere.
“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.”
Is drug addiction and losing your job an excuse for robbery? Of course not. Is it a DEFENSE though? Well that depends on the nature of the addiction and your mental status during the robberies. It’s important in any case to make sure that you consult fully with a criminal attorney well versed in mental state as well as the general defenses. Although it sounds like Mr. Smith made a variety of statements that may preclude a real defense for him.
A great tip is not to talk to the police without an attorney present. Lynnwood area criminal attorney Jonathan Dichter is always ready to go to interviews with you, help you during interrogations, and to protect your rights both before and after you’ve been charged. Call him for your free consultation.
Related posts:
- Snohomish County Drug Court Gets Funded Many courts have “drug” court and similar programs designed for...
- Bombs in Strip Clubs Let’s chalk this one up to unrequited love. Oh the...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
