Lubbock Robbery Spree: Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison, Two Others Connected to String of Robberies

Accident – Death – Obituary News : 30-Year-Old Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for Armed Robbery and Home Invasion

Lubbock, Texas – Last week, Ladasma Shedd, a 30-year-old man, was sentenced to 18 years in prison after admitting to his involvement in an armed robbery and a home invasion that occurred two years ago. Shedd, who has been held at the Lubbock County Detention Center since September 9, 2021, appeared in the 364th District Court and pleaded guilty to charges of burglary of a habitation with intent to commit robbery and aggravated robbery. Both charges carry a punishment of five years to life in prison.

As part of a deal with the Lubbock County District Attorney’s Office, Shedd accepted an 18-year prison sentence for the burglary charge and a 10-year sentence for the aggravated robbery charge. These sentences will run concurrently. Shedd is one of three individuals investigators have connected to a series of robberies that occurred within days of each other.

Willie Cox Jr., a 20-year-old man, was previously sentenced in October 2022 to 20 years in prison for aggravated robbery and 10 years in prison on an unrelated aggravated assault charge involving a 2019 shoot out in East Lubbock between two vehicles. Another individual, Aaliyah White, is currently out on bond and is also charged with aggravated robbery. Her case is still pending.

The charges against Shedd, Cox, and White stem from a joint investigation conducted by the Lubbock Police Department and the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office into four separate robberies that took place within a day of each other starting on August 29, 2021.

The first incident occurred at around 5 a.m. on August 29, when Lubbock police responded to a robbery at a home in the 1600 block of 59th Street. According to a police report, a mother of two children informed the officers that two men forced their way into her home and threatened them with a pistol. The intruders were reportedly looking for her boyfriend, who no longer lived at the residence. When the woman told them she didn’t have anything they could steal, one of the intruders ran downstairs where her children were and threatened to shoot one of them. Fortunately, the woman convinced the intruders that she didn’t have any valuable items, and they left without causing further harm.

The following day, on August 30, the Ace Cash Express in the 4600 block of 34th Street became the target of an armed robbery. An employee at the establishment stated that an armed robber entered the business, demanded money, and explicitly stated, “This is no joke, I want your money.” The employee managed to hide under the counter and activated the silent panic button twice. While hiding, the employee overheard another man accompanying the robber inquire about the panic button being pressed. Soon after, a gunshot was fired, and the robbers attempted to breach a secure door. The employee crawled towards the back of the store and witnessed the robbers fleeing the scene while firing more gunshots.

Later that day, Lubbock County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a robbery with shots fired at the Prize City game room in the 6300 block of East Highway 84. Witnesses at the scene informed the deputies that three individuals entered the game room, fired a shot, and demanded money from the manager. The robbers then made their escape in an older black model Mercury Grand Marquis.

The final incident occurred at approximately 10 p.m. that night when Lubbock police responded to an armed robbery at the Burger King in the 7000 block of University Avenue. An employee taking a smoke break after closing was approached by a man armed with a pistol who proceeded to rob him. The employee was coerced back into the store and forced to lead the robber to the safe. However, the employee claimed to not know the combination to the safe, which led the robber to demand money from the cash drawer instead. Unfortunately, only the drive-through cash drawer contained any cash.

During the investigation, law enforcement obtained security camera footage from each crime scene, which indicated the involvement of the same individuals in all the robberies. Detectives also discovered video footage from nearby businesses near the Ace Cash Express that captured a 2002 Grand Marquis parked near a car wash. In the footage, two men were seen exiting the vehicle and heading towards the cash express store around the time of the robbery. The clothing worn by these men matched the attire of the individuals involved in the Burger King and game room robberies.

Additionally, investigators received an anonymous tip implicating Shedd as one of the robbers. Shedd was subsequently identified as one of the perpetrators in the home invasion through a photo lineup. Comparisons between Shedd’s prior booking photos and the security camera videos further strengthened investigators’ belief that he resembled one of the robbers.

On September 8, 2021, Shedd and White were apprehended at an apartment complex in the 500 block of Slide Road, where White was a tenant. Cox was arrested the following day, September 9, 2021, and was found in possession of a .45 caliber handgun, which he admitted to using in the Burger King robbery. Cox confessed to purchasing the firearm from Shedd.

A search of White’s apartment yielded additional evidence, including 9 mm rounds and a magazine for a Glock pistol. Investigators also discovered black sweatpants with white piping that closely resembled the pants worn by the robbers.

The successful resolution of this case highlights the collaborative efforts of the Lubbock Police Department and the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office. Through their diligent investigative work and the assistance of anonymous tips, justice has been served for the victims of these heinous crimes. The sentencing of Ladasma Shedd serves as a reminder that those who engage in acts of violence and robbery will be held accountable for their actions.

As Aaliyah White’s case remains pending, the authorities will continue their efforts to ensure that all individuals involved in these robberies face appropriate consequences for their actions. The community can rest assured that law enforcement agencies are committed to maintaining public safety and pursuing justice for all victims..