MACON, Ga. — A man has learned his sentence in a series of smash-and-grab break-ins and burglaries across Macon, Bibb County Superior Court records show.
According to his indictment, Jeremy Allen Mclaurin was accused of seven break-ins across Macon, a string of burglaries concentrated primarily between March 12, 2023 and March 21, 2023. However, the first break-in dates back to Nov. 24, 2022.
This year, Mclaurin pleaded guilty to the robberies on Nov. 5 and learned his sentence only 16 days later.
Judge David Mincey sentenced Mclaurin to 20 years with only 5 years to be served in prison on Nov. 21. The rest of his sentence could be served on probation.
However, if he violates his probation after his release, Mclaurin could be sent back to prison to serve his full sentence behind bars.
While only two robberies were originally tied to Mclaurin when he first was arrested, the indictment casts a fuller picture of his crime spree.
Originally, authorities had only shared Mclaurin's break-in at Stephen's Fashion on Montpelier Avenue from Nov. 24, 2022 and his March 16, 2023 burglary at Metro PCS on Mercer University Drive.
The Stephen's Fashion burglary reflected Mclaurin's modus operandi in most of the break-ins. The window was shattered and over $2,000 in clothing was stolen, the Bibb County Sheriff's Office said. That's more commonly known as a smash-and-grab burglary.
At Metro PCS, they say a rock was used to break the window, and Mclaurin then stole $500 in merchandise before fleeing through the back door.
But that was just the tip of the iceberg.
Starting on March 12, 2023, the indictment says Mclaurin's burglary spree began.
They say he started with Bethune Law Firm on Pio Nono Avenue. The next day, he was accused of hitting American Tax just down the road on Pio Nono and Rimtyme Wheels on Eisenhower Parkway.
A few days later, he broke into the Metro PCS and Citi Trends on Mercer University Drive on March 16, the indictment said.
Then, he hit the Metro MCS on Mercer University Drive on March 21, capping the end of his nine-day crime spree. In total, six businesses were affected over those nine days.
The Bibb County Sheriff's Office says Mclaurin was taken into custody two days later on March 23.
Timeline:
- Nov. 24, 2022: Stephen's Fashion, 2661 Montpelier Ave
- March 12, 2023: Bethune Law Firm, 2357 Pio Nono Ave
- March 13, 2023: American Tax, 2444 Pio Nono Avenue
- March 13, 2023: Rimtyme Wheels, 1209 Eisenhower Parkway
- March 16, 2023: Citi Trends, 3555 Mercer University Drive
- March 16, 2023: Metro PCS/T-Mobile, 3254 Mercer University Drive
- March 21, 2023: Metro MCS, 3253 Mercer University Drive
Mclaurin pleaded guilty to five counts of smash-and-grab burglary. On each of those counts, he received 20 years with 5 years in prison. Those sentences would be served at the same time.
He also plead guilty to two counts of burglary in the second degree. He received 5 years on those charges, which would also run at the same time as his other sentences.
All told, Mclaurin is set to serve 5 years in prison and the rest of his 20-year sentence on probation.
After his release, the judge ordered him to pay $10,000 to the Bethune Law Firm within 10 years of his release. He is also banned from entering all the businesses he robbed or contacting their owners.
Additionally, the judge banned Mclaurin from using any alcohol or drugs and must avoid any additional legal trouble.