An Oakwood man has been sentenced to over two decades in federal prison for the armed robberies and attempted armed robberies of six business in Gainesville and metro-Atlanta.
Ricky Eugene Reid, 34, was sentenced last Thursday to 21 years in prison, with three years of supervised release and to pay $16,342.42 in restitution by U.S. District Judge Richard W. Story.
Reid pled guilty to multiple counts of Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm on December 4, 2019, and was convicted that same day.
“This is a prime example of how fluid communication and teamwork can result in success. Our community, our officers, and our investigators displayed outstanding courage and perseverance during critical times of the investigation," said Jay Parrish, Chief of Police, Gainesville Police Department. "The formation of professional relationships between all agencies played a vital role in Reid’s arrest. I am proud of all the collaborative efforts and teamwork involved to make our community a safer place.”
According to U.S. Attorney BJay Pak, Reid engaged in a crime spree from August 26, 2018 to June 7, 2019, which included the robberies of four department stores, a pizza place and then an attempt to rob a fifth department store. In one robbery, Reid shot a gun multiple times through the front door window, which sent shattered glass everywhere and near department store employees; pointed a gun at store employees during each robbery and forced them to empty their cash registers; during another robbery, he pursued a store manager at gunpoint who was running from the register with bank bags, and shouted "stop" or "I'll shoot."
Pak said he was captured on June 7, 2019 while preparing to rob the final department store in Buford. Law enforcement agents located a firearm, ammunition, and black clothing consistent to the outfit worn by the robber in the previous robberies in his vehicle, Pak said. Reid reportedly was a previous employee of one of the department stores.
“Ricky Reid terrorized numerous victims in multiple jurisdictions across Northeast Georgia. His arrest and criminal convictions are the direct result of the strong relationships we strive to maintain with our community members and law enforcement partners, both locally and federally," said Lt. Todd Templeton, Criminal Investigation Division, Oakwood Police Department. "His lengthy prison sentence sends a clear message that our community will not tolerate these types of heinous criminal acts."
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Gainesville Police Department, the Gwinnett County Police Department, the Oakwood Police Department, the Dunwoody Police Department and the Johns Creek Police Department investigated this case.
