A Social Circle man was recently arrested and charged with the Aug. 28 robbery of the Hard Luck Café in Conyers as part of a multi-city crime spree.

Jerry Lackey, 30, faces charges of armed robbery in Conyers, robbery in Winder, and robbery and multiple counts of financial transaction card fraud in Monroe.

On Aug. 28, Lackey came into the Hard Luck Café and tried to use a debit card, which was declined several times. Conyers police later learned the card belonged to an ex-girlfriend of Lackey's. He then reportedly pulled out a knife and demanded money.
After the Hard Luck Café was struck, he reportedly went on to attempt another robbery, unsuccessfully, in Monroe and a purse snatching in Winder. He took the credit cards from the purse snatching and tried to use them in Monroe.

Conyers police and Monroe police had secured warrants against Lackey and were preparing a joint team to apprehend him. During that time, he was picked up by the Loganville police on the active robbery warrants and booked into the Walton County Jail.

Conyers Police Department Capt. Scott Freeman said Lackey admitted to the robberies during an interview with detectives, saying he had a drug problem that had gotten out of control.