Newport-Loving Gas Station Bandit Arrives at County Jail: Cops

JOLIET, IL — A gas station bandit who really seems to like Newport cigarettes arrived at the Will County jail Wednesday to answer a charge of armed robbery.

Gary L. Smith, 26, had been locked up in the LaSalle County jail before he was taken to the Will County jail in Joliet

Smith, a Robbins resident, allegedly held up the Mobil station on 183rd Place and Martie Road the night of Aug. 22.

Smith parked near the pumps, walked into the store and asked the clerk how much a carton of Newports cost, police said. While the clerk was looking up the price, Smith allegedly pulled a black handgun from his waistband and demanded all the Newports, as well as the money from the register.

Smith absconded with about a dozen cartons and a small amount of cash from the register, police said. He allegedly made his getaway in a newer model silver, four door Chevy Impala driven by another man.

Smith was captured on surveillance video.

Smith is scheduled to appear in court Thursday. His bond had been previously set at $750,000.