Additional Charges Filed Against State Line Tavern Armed Robbery Suspect

Authorities have arrested one suspect accused of carrying out an armed robbery using an AR-style pistol, while two other suspects remain on the run. Cherokee County deputies and the Centre Police Department arrested Jeffrey Lemar Smith, 23, of Gadsden, after finding him hiding inside a dumpster off West Main Street near Watson Drive in Centre.

According to investigators, Smith is accused of robbing the former State Line Tavern near the Alabama state line last Friday. Floyd County Jail records state that Smith entered the business armed with an AR-style pistol and pointed the gun at a man during the robbery.

After the incident, law enforcement agencies from several departments searched overnight for suspects. The search involved the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Centre Police Department, Leesburg Police Department, Cherokee County Rescue, and Cherokee County EMA, with officers using drones to scan the area.

Smith was taken into custody following a pursuit and is charged in Alabama with Attempt to Elude. In Georgia, he faces charges of robbery, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. Additional charges are expected.

The Floyd County Police Department continues to investigate the armed robbery and is working with local agencies to locate the two remaining suspects.

Authorities ask the public to stay alert and report any suspicious activity by calling 911.

Cherokee cOunty deputies and the Centre Police Department located and took one suspect into custody. Jeffrey Lemar Smith, 23, of Gadsden, was found hiding in a dumpster off of West Main Street near Watson Drive.

Overnight, Sheriff’s Office personnel, along with officers from the Centre Police Department, Leesburg Police Department, Cherokee County Rescue, and Cherokee County EMA, spent several hours searching the area using multiple unmanned aerial systems (drones).

Smith has been charged with Attempt to Elude. The incident regarding the armed robbery is actively being investigated by the Floyd County Police Department (GA), and additional charges are expected.

Our agency is working diligently with the Floyd County Police Department to apprehend the two remaining suspects and urges the community to remain alert and report anything suspicious by calling 911.