Akron police: Five arrested for 30 robberies in Summit and Portage counties

AKRON -- Four Akron men and a Columbus man are now behind bars in connection with a string of robberies in Summit and Portage counties.

Akron police say the arrests were made in connection with 30 robberies that started in Feb. 1, 2007 and ended April 30, 2008.

Arrested were:

* Richard A. Delaney, 20, of Akron
* Timmie D. Hubbard, 20, of Akron
* Desmond A. Billingsley, 19, of Akron
* Jeremie J. Jones, 20, of Akron
* Jason R. Smoot, 21, of Columbus

Police say the majority of the robberies happened at fast food restaurants such as Arby's, Dairy Queen, KFC Little Caesars, Subway, Wendy's, Taco Bell and McDonalds. Also hit were an Alltell store, Foot Action and Foot Locker as well as Marathon and Speedway stations.

The suspects have all be convicted or pled to various robbery charges related to the crime spree. Police say the suspects were linked to the robberies mostly in part by information given by witnesses.

Departments involved in the investigation were the Barberton Police Department, Brimfield Township Police Department, Copley Township Police Department, Cuyahoga Falls Police Department, Fairlawn Police Department, Cuyahoga Falls Police Department, Fairlawn police Department, Kent Police Department, Norton Police Department, Portage County Sheriff's Department, Springfield Township Police Department and Summit County Sheriff's Department.