Odum of Dayton robbed a Circle K in Dayton April 5, followed by Rich’s Smoke Shop in Kettering April 6, and the Dairy Queen, a Subway and and Sundeck Tanning Salon in Dayton April 8.
In all five cases, Odum entered the business, pretend to be purchasing something, then indicated he had a gun in his pocket. He even threatened to blow off the heads of some victims, according to a media release.
Odum got away with money from three of the businesses.
Odum was indicted in May and was found guilty in June.
“This defendant brazenly robbed five businesses in just four days,” said Prosecutor Mat Heck in a release. “Clearly, his behavior shows that he poses a significant risk to our community.”
Odum had previously just been released from prison in August 2015.
UPDATE @ 11:20 a.m. (April 11):
The son of a man arrested for a series of robberies in Dayton said his father was “not in his right mindset.”
Aaron Michael Odum said he noticed his father was the suspected robber that is accused in robberies at Dairy Queen, Sundeck Tanning Salon and a Subway in the city in less than a half hour Friday, after he saw his photo on the news.
“Seeing your dad all over the news…to find out it’s really him, it’s hard,” Aaron Michael Odum said.
James Odum Jr., 51, was arrested Saturday night and is booked into the Montgomery County Jail on four pending charges of robbery, but no official charges have been approved.
The son said police contacted him and even came to his home searching for James Odum Jr.
Aaron Michael Odum said his father has a drug problem and he’s thankful his father is in custody.
“I’d rather him be in jail, instead of maybe getting shot in another robbery,” Aaron Michael Odum said.
FULL REPORT
James Odum Jr., 51, is wanted by the Adult Parole Authority for allegedly violating the conditions of his supervision. Odum was just released earlier this year, on Feb. 19, following a 2013 conviction on felony burglary and theft offenses in Kettering, online prison and court records show.
Police took Odum into custody Saturday night in connection to three robberies Friday afternoon that led two cruisers to collide.
Twelve to 15 officers responded beginning around 9 p.m. to the 400 block of Norman Avenue to look for the wanted suspect.
“The individual they were looking for was wanted in a string of robberies from the east side of our city yesterday,” Sgt. Andrew Zecchini of the Dayton Police Department said.
The suspect, identified as Odum, was found inside an apartment. He was cooperative and was taken into custody without incident, Zecchini said.
Odum — who allegedly targeted three Dayton businesses on Friday — got away with $331 from the Subway, 528 Wilmington Ave., according to the Dayton police report.
At Sundeck Tanning Salon, 456 Patterson Road, the robber stuck his hand in his pocket as if he had a concealed firearm, but the employee who was at the counter pulled a real gun on him, according to the Dayton police report.
The robber went into the salon and asked about tanning packages, then offered to buy a $1 ring for his pinky finger, according to the report.
When the employee opened the cash drawer, the robber said, “Just give me all of the money” while his hand was inside his coat, seemingly pointing a firearm at her.
Police said instead of giving him cash, the employee grabbed the gun stored under the counter and pointed it at the robber.
The robber backed away with his hands in the air and eventually ran out of the store, heading west, according to the report.
At Subway, he approached the counter and got a cup for a drink and counted out change at the counter, according to the report.
When the clerk opened the cash register, the man reached into his jacket and threatened to shoot the employee and demanded money, although no weapon was displayed, according to the report.
The robber was seen running behind the store and fleeing in a dark-green sport utility vehicle, according to the report.
Dayton police said a robbery minutes earlier at the Dairy Queen may have been committed by the same individual.
Officers responded at 1:43 p.m. Friday to the call at Dairy Queen, 2613 S. Smithville Ave., according to the Dayton police report.
An employee reported a man walked into the restaurant and demanded, “Give me all your money,” then after the employee refused the robber repeated the demand, “I’m serious this is a robbery give me all your money,” according to the report.
The victim said “no” again and ran to the back to push an alarm button. The robber then ran out of the front of the restaurant, according to the report.
While police were trying to respond to all of these calls, two cruisers collided at the intersection of Wilmington and Wayne avenues, sending a sergeant and officer to a local hospital to be checked out.