When federal investigators found the duo accused in jewelry store robberies across the Southeast, they also found two loaded, semi-automatic pistols in the Smyrna apartment, according to court documents.
Abigail Lee Kemp, 24, and Lewis Jones III, 35, were together Friday at a Cumberland Glen Lane apartment when FBI agents arrived, an affidavit filed late Monday states. A black pistol, belonging to Kemp, was found in the kitchen and a pistol with a silver slide and black frame, that belonged to Jones, was found thrown under a bed, investigators said.
Both of the pistols, investigators said, were used in the six store robberies in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Florida.
In interviews with investigators, Kemp admitted she and Jones worked together in the armed robberies, which began in April at Jared Vault in Woodstock. Initially, Kemp went into the store with an open phone line so Jones could hear her interaction with employees, she allegedly told agents.
“Abigail Lee Kemp had an earpiece with microphone attached to her cellular phone,” the affidavit states. “Lewis Jones III then came into the jewelry store, tied the employees up removed the merchandise from the store’s display cases.”
Other times when Kemp went into the store alone, Jones would remain outside to act as a lookout, the affidavit states. Investigators also confirmed the two were on the phone with each other during the robberies.
Both Kemp and Jones were arrested and each charged with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by threats or violence, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida said Monday. Kemp sobbed during her first court appearance Monday, which her family attended. Jones was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday afternoon.
The next court appearances for both suspects is expected to take place in Florida, where the FBI Jacksonville office is the lead investigator in the case.
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