Akron man sentenced to 8 years for his role in two Highland Square robberies

AKRON, Ohio - An Akron man was the last of four sentenced Thursday for his role in two robberies in Highland Square in December 2011.

Summit County Judge Tammy O’Brien sentenced 22-year-old Evin Collins of Akron to eight years in prison. Collins pleaded guilty on Jan. 10 to aggravated robbery with a firearm, kidnapping and aggravated burglary.

Collins and three other men kidnapped a woman at gunpoint as she was getting out of her car in her garage in Highland Square. The men took the woman to an ATM to withdraw money and stole her jewelry before releasing her.

They also robbed a woman and her two adult children at gunpoint in their home on Johnland Avenue.

Collins’ accomplices, 18-year-old Tony Smith, 17-year-old Ja’relle Smith and 22-year-old Demico Smith entered guilty pleas to their various charges on Jan. 7.

Tony Smith and Ja'relle Smith were sentenced the same day to an agreed sentence of 16 years in prison for two counts of aggravated robbery with one firearm specification, aggravated burglary and kidnapping. Ja'relle also pleaded guilty to a third count of Aggravated Robbery for breaking into a home on Mineola Avenue.

Demico Smith was sentenced Jan. 31 to eight years in prison after he pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated robbery with one firearm specification, aggravated burglary and kidnapping.