Suspect Arrested In Hanover Gas Station Murder
HANOVER, Md. (WJZ) -- A major breakthrough in the senseless killing of an Anne Arundel County gas station clerk. After weeks of searching, police arrest 26-year-old Robin Tyrone Smith Jr., who they say shot and killed a gas attendant before robbing his store.
Rick Ritter has more on the arrest.
WJZ did some digging. Smith's been arrested in the past for everything from burglary to child abuse. Investigators were offering a huge reward for his arrest. Now he faces first degree murder charges.
Police say Robin Tyrone Smith Jr. is behind a brazen killing that rocked Anne Arundel County.
"It's an outrageous crime that he committed," said Chief Kevin Davis, Anne Arundel County Police.
Now he's behind bars.
"The big news is here is that the killer is in custody and he can never do this again," Chief Davis said.
On August 7, surveillance video showed the 26-year-old walk into a Hanover Exxon. Without saying a word, police say the cold blooded Smith shot 49-year-old Rajiner Kumar of Glen Burnie before stepping over his body, stealing money and running out the store.
"How could somebody be so cold? That's all I can say. Just for a few dollars, you take someone's life," said Nabil Malik, co-owner of the Exxon gas station.
Those who knew Kumar were left stunned, describing him as a one-of-a-kind guy.
The suspect took off that night from the gas station and got away. But after weeks of investigating, gathering tips and offering a $27,000 reward, police arrested the alleged killer Friday.
"We were able to arrest him yesterday evening without incident and not far from where he lives," said Lt. T.J. Smith, Anne Arundel County Police.
A joint effort between Anne Arundel County Police and the FBI, it's an investigation they say would be far from over without help from local residents.
"We wouldn't be standing here today before you if not for tips from our community," Chief Davis said.
Police believe the killer's motive was strictly robbery. Smith is currently being held on no bond and will be arraigned in the next few weeks.
Friday's arrest marks the closure of 19 out of 20 murders in Anne Arundel County over the last two years.
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