Suspect arrested for robbing same Albany store twice

ALBANY — The Albany Police Department has arrested a suspect in connection to multiple burglaries at the East Albany Rite-Aid pharmacy.

David Lee Sweet, 58, was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon on the 300 block of Mock Road. Reports indicate that Sweet has been charged with two counts of burglary.

According to officials, the Rite-Aid pharmacy located at 2400 Sylvester Road has been burglarized multiple times, and Sweet has been charged in connection to Feb. 28 and March 13 burglaries.

During the Feb. 28 incident, the burglar smashed the bottom-right portion of the front door with a brick to gain entry to the store. Once inside, the suspect stayed for roughly two minutes, during which time he jumped the counter and took approximately $811 worth of cigarettes and $150 worth of cigarette lighters. The bandit’s preferred brand of smokes were Marlboro, Newport, Kool, L&M, Salem and Pall Malls.

On March 13, a similar technique was used. The suspect once again smashed the bottom right portion of the door with a brick to gain entry, and once again he jumped the counter to take cigarettes. This time, the the haul was around $500 worth of cigarettes.

APD officials said another break-in had occurred at the same location, and more suspects are being sought.

“A third break-in at the store is under investigation,” APD spokeswoman Phyllis Banks said. “Additional arrests and charges are pending at this point in that case.”

According to Banks, a “team” effort was responsible for gathering enough evidence to arrest Sweet.

“The arrest was the result of a team effort between the Burglary Unit and Uniform Officers,” she said.

Sweet was booked into the Dougherty County jail Wednesday afternoon at 4:11 p.m.