WCVB-TV News -- TheBostonChannel.com
Wellesley, Mass. police said they have foiled a planned armed robbery just as the planned target was about to close for the night.
Police arrested four suspects, including one with a violent record.
Jerome Pitts, 24, works at the Blockbuster video store in Wellesley. His father -- a Boston school police officer -- sat in court Monday while his son faced numerous felony charges including conspiracy to commit armed robbery.
“This would have been an armed robbery with gun,” Wellesley Police Department Deputy Chief Bill Brooks said.
Wellesley police described and displayed tools of an alleged foiled plot -- a loaded Colt .45 handgun, ski mask, four pairs of gloves and diagrams of the store’s interior.
The items were found inside the suspect’s car. Pitt, who was working Saturday night, was supposed to lead the other three men to the cash, according to police
“He had information about where in the building the cash was going to be counted, who the employees were would be counting it and the method that they were going to use as the store closed each night,” Brooks said.
But 15 minutes before the plan was to go into action, a suspicious police officer stopped to ask if they were broken down in front of the video store.
Wellesley Police Department Officer Erik Rohde said he smelled marijuana, and he asked permission to search the car.
“Once we began searching inside the car, and I noticed the latex gloves on the ground, the ski mask and you could tell the parties were a little nervous,” Rohde said.
The three men were arrested after marijuana was discovered.
In court, Joseph Smith was just released from prison seven months ago. He did 12 years for manslaughter. He’s also been convicted of armed robbery and possessing illegal firearms.