May 6, 2022
By News Director Jared Atha
A Rifle, Colorado man was charged in Custer County District Court recently with robbery with a weapon after a felony conviction after allegedly robbing a Thomas convenience store in February.
A break in the case came when the same suspect was arrested in Texas County and was tied to a similar crime in Woodward County.
According to the probable cause affidavit, 20-year-old Cauy James Smith is accused of handing a store clerk in Thomas a note demanding money on February 22. He would also show the clerk a handgun that he had concealed in the hoodie he was wearing. Once the clerk handed over the cash, which was just over $600, the suspect would flee the scene.
Surveillance footage and witnesses were able to give authorities a description of the suspect’s getaway vehicle.
According to court records, Smith is accused of committing a similar crime in Fort Supply in Woodward County on the same day.
An affidavit out of Woodward County showed that Smith had gone into the store, once again handed the clerk a note indicating he was robbing the place, and this time pointed the firearm at the employee before taking the cash and fleeing the scene.
It was made aware to both Woodward and Custer County officials that Smith had been apprehended in Texas County after being pulled over in a vehicle that matched the description of the vehicle used in both crimes. He is currently being held on a $50,000 bond in that county, and was charged with felonies of pattern of criminal offenses, possess firearm during commission of a felony and knowingly concealing stolen property and misdemeanors of possession of controlled dangerous substance – marijuana and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
In Woodward County he has been charged with robbery with a weapon with a bond set at $250,000.
In Custer County his bond was set at $100,000.
According to an affidavit, authorities said Smith had confessed to the robberies in Woodward County and in Thomas.
Copyright 2022 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
