Violent Felon Convicted In DeKalb Waffle House Robberies

ATLANTA – Joseph Orlando Hood, a previously convicted felon, has been convicted by a federal jury of several armed commercial robberies, including three Waffle Houses and a United Inn and Suites Motel. Hood, 32, of Scottdale, Georgia, committed the crimes between Nov. 12-17, 2016 at Waffle Houses in Chamblee, Lithonia, and Tucker; at the United Inn and Suites in Decatur, and the Raymok Bar and Grill in Scottsdale.

During one of the Waffle House robberies, Hood shot at a customer who tried to escape. He also pistol-whipped the manager of United Inn and Suites motel during its armed robbery. Hood’s armed robbery spree ended after he robbed Raymok Bar and Grill. While Hood fired several rounds at a customer who tried to escape during the robbery, the bar's manager shot Hood in the leg. Hood fled but was quickly located by police in a nearby apartment complex.

Hood will be sentenced before U.S. District Steve C. Jones on May 20, 2019 at 10 am. The
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the DeKalb Police Department, and the Chamblee Police Department.

Federal prosecutors said the case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which focuses on prosecuting those individuals who most significantly drive violence in communities, and supports and fosters partnerships between law enforcement and schools, the faith community, and local community leaders.

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