Christopher E. Collins, Armed Robbery, Nebraska 2019

Christopher E. Collins, a 28-year-old Omaha resident, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in a New Year’s robbery spree that left a trail of destruction in its wake. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. after Collins was found guilty of robbery, brandishing a firearm, and discharging a firearm.

Collins, along with co-defendants Marcus Evans and Ervin Smith, Jr., carried out a series of brazen robberies on January 1, 2019. The first robbery occurred at Bucky’s at 2901 North 72nd Street, where Collins and his accomplices used a gun to intimidate the employee and make off with cash, cigarettes, and lottery tickets.

The trio then moved on to the Kwik Shop at 5929 North 72nd Street, where they threatened a clerk with a gun and demanded money. They made off with cigarettes, cigars, and lottery tickets.

The final robbery occurred at Phillip’s 66 on Sorenson Parkway, where Collins and his accomplices used a gun to intimidate the owner, R.S. R.S. was able to retrieve a firearm and demand that Collins and his accomplices not move, but Collins fired several shots in the direction of R.S. before making his escape.

Collins was eventually caught within 24 hours of the robberies, after a traffic stop by Omaha Police led to his arrest. He had attempted to cash in one of the stolen lottery tickets, which led to his identification by a clerk at the store.

Collins will serve three years of supervised release after his prison term, and will also have to pay restitution of $280 to Buck’s Inc., $151.55 to Kwik Shop, and $1,000 to Phillip’s 66. His co-defendants, Marcus Evans and Ervin Smith, Jr., are also facing charges in connection with the robberies. Smith has entered a guilty plea and is awaiting sentencing, while Evans is scheduled to enter a guilty plea in April.

The case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Great Plains Violent Crime Task Force, which included agents from the FBI, Omaha Police, Nebraska State Patrol, and Papillion Police Department.

Collins’ sentence sends a clear message to those who would engage in violent crime: you will be held accountable. The people of Omaha can rest a little easier knowing that justice has been served in this case.

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