Arrest made in armed robberies at Cedar Rapids dollar store

A Cedar Rapids man told authorities he was pressured into participating in two armed robberies at a Mount Vernon Road dollar store.

James D. Smith, 19, of 836 Ninth St. SW, has been charged with two counts of first-degree robbery after two hold-ups in three days at Family Dollar, 2325 Mount Vernon Rd. SE. In the first robbery on Sept. 16, one of two people involved displayed a handgun. In the second heist on Sept. 19, three men were involved and two displayed handguns. No one was hurt in either incident.

According to a criminal complaint, Smith was captured on surveillance video during both robberies. Investigators said Smith admitted involvement, but claimed he was pressured to participate.

No other arrests have been announced by police.

In the Sept. 16 robbery, the suspect who remains at large was described as a black male, around 5-foot-9 and 150 pounds, wearing a dark blue hooded sweat shirt, black jeans and black shoes.

The three suspects involved in the Sept. 19 robbery were all wearing dark-colored hooded sweat shirts and masks, police said. They got an undisclosed amount of cash and cigarettes before running away.

Smith remained in custody Wednesday at the Linn County Jail in lieu of $112,000.