A 19-year-old man was arrested Friday in connection with two violent armed robberies at a home and restaurant in DeKalb County, officials said.

Earnest Sims, a resident of Jenkinsburg in Butts County, is first accused of a home invasion in Ellenwood on May 20, according to a statement from the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.

Sims allegedly robbed the resident of the home and pistol-whipped another man who was there. He struck the man in the back of the head with a semi-automatic handgun, the sheriff’s office said.

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The same day, Sims allegedly robbed a restaurant on Wesley Chapel Road, assaulting another man by pistol-whipping him in the face. The sheriff’s office did not say which restaurant Sims allegedly targeted. They also did not say how investigators linked Sims to the incidents.

Records show the 19-year-old was booked Friday into the DeKalb County jail, where he remains held. He was arrested by the sheriff’s office and the U.S. Marshals Service.

He faces two counts each of aggravated assault and armed robbery, and one count of home invasion.

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A witness said anti-gay slurs were yelled before someone shot and killed 28-year-old Ronald Peters in DeKalb County.

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