Eric Demone Smotherman, 49, of Lufkin, has been arrested for aggravated robbery after allegedly committing multiple robberies in the same 50-mile radius.
According to KTRE, Smotherman had been out on bond for a 2023 aggravated robbery but is now back behind bars after being linked to a series of robberies across the Angelina River bridge area.
The Robberies and Pattern
Smotherman allegedly committed these crimes in Lufkin and Nacogdoches, with a clear pattern emerging from his actions. He was known for wearing a distinctive purple mask and red gloves during the robberies.
The first robbery occurred on March 10th, at a store on HWY 69 near Lufkin, around 10:45 PM. His next robbery took place on April 2nd, across the river in Nacogdoches. A detective from Nacogdoches noticed a similarity in the crimes and began connecting the dots.
Upon reviewing the surveillance footage from a previous robbery on March 25th, the detective identified Smotherman wearing the same purple mask and gloves, with the same pattern of demands during each robbery.
Smotherman’s Interaction with Officers
Smotherman didn’t make it easy for authorities. On April 1st, Nacogdoches Police caught him loitering in a parking lot. He gave false information to officers, claiming he had never been arrested before and was just using the Wi-Fi.
However, that same day, Smotherman attempted another robbery at a store on South Street in Nacogdoches. When he found the store locked, he removed his purple mask, revealing his face to a camera, which ultimately helped authorities identify him.
Arrest and Charges
Smotherman is now facing two counts of First Degree Felony Aggravated Robbery. He has been booked into the Angelina County Jail with a $200,000 bond.
His distinctive purple mask, which he repeatedly wore during the robberies, seems to have been his downfall. While his disguise might have worked initially, it ultimately helped detectives connect the crimes and bring him to justice.