Tuesday, August 27, 2024–8:50 a.m.
-Adam Carey, Rome News-Tribune-
This story is possible because of a news-sharing agreement with the Rome News-Tribune. More information can be found at northwestgeorgianews.com
A Rome man was sentenced to 22 years in prison for four robberies at convenience stores in Rome, including the same store twice.
Edward Louis Crowder, 54, pleaded guilty to four counts of armed robbery Monday in Floyd County Superior Court.
“I did them,” Crowder told Floyd County Superior Court Chief Judge John “Jack” Niedrach via video monitor from the jail during the sentencing Monday. “And I want to thank my attorney for explaining everything.”
All four robberies occurred in December 2023, beginning and ending at the same store on North Broad Street.
He began the spree by robbing the North Broad Food Market at 1416 N. Broad St. on Dec. 4. Crowder then moved on to the Latino Food Mart at 702 Shorter Ave. on Dec. 10, the BP Gas Station at 1389 Redmond Circle on Dec. 18 and, finally, returning to the North Broad Food Market on Dec. 19.
Rome police arrested Crowder at his home on Hull Avenue on Dec. 22, 2023.
His plea was negotiated by his attorney, public defender Radford Bunker, with Floyd County Assistant District Attorney Emily Johnson — who agreed not to pursue a sentence of life in prison without parole for Crowder, which was possible because of his prior arrest record.
Crowder used a replica gun in at least two of his robberies, and a real weapon in one of them.
Prosecutors said they found a plethora of evidence connecting Crowder to the robberies, including a toy gun and another mask he wore for two of the robberies.
Video surveillance of each robbery was available, as well as a green mask that was recovered after a theft and contained his DNA.