Man robs 4 people after befriending them at bar, police say

A man was accused of robbing four people he befriended early Thursday at an Auburn bar, authorities said.

Jeremy Anthony Jackson, 25, faces four counts of first-degree robbery. He was booked into the Lee County Jail under bonds totaling $400,000.

Auburn police were called to the 100 block of College Street around 1:15 a.m. Thursday to investigate a robbery.

A man befriended several people at a bar and eventually left with them in a vehicle. After directing them to several locations, including one where weapons were seen, he took the keys to the vehicle and demanded money from the victims.

"While money was being withdrawn from an ATM by a victim, the complainant was able to exit the vehicle and contact police," Capt. Lorenza Dorsey said in a news release.

Officials received a description of the vehicle and found it. The victims and Jackson were still in the car, and he was taken into custody.

"As less serious, but similar, incidents have occurred in the recent past, citizens are reminded to avoid allowing strangers in their vehicles, particularly in the late evening hours," authorities said.

Anyone with information concerning this crime or Jackson is encouraged to call the Auburn Police Detective Section at 334-501-3140 or the Secret Witness Line at 334-246-1391.

Sarah Robinson: 706-571-8622, @sarahR_92

This story was originally published December 15, 2017 at 11:52 AM with the headline "Man robs 4 people after befriending them at bar, police say."