Lakeland police say they finally have the man responsible for two murders that happened two years ago and his arrest in another crime is part of the reason why.
Benjamin Smiley, 22, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Clifton Drake and Carmen Riley. Riley was killed first, back in March 2013, which Drake's death following a few weeks later.
“She ran what is commonly known in the community as a bootlegging house where she would sell drinks, chips, snacks, anything like that," said Sergeant Brain Wallace. "That’s why she was targeted, because of that.”
Investigators said Smiley targeted both victims because he thought they had a large amount of money in their homes. The murders happened just a few blocks from each other and only a few weeks apart.
“All the evidence supports that Benjamin Smiley is the gunman,” said Lakeland Police Sergeant, Jeff Birdwell.
Investigators say DNA evidence left behind along with matching bullets tied the two cases together but there was no suspect. It wasn’t until Smiley was arrested in January on a weapons charge in Hillsborough County that his DNA was collected and connected to the murders.
Clifton’s wife, Shelia Drake, and her family listened as detectives gave the news that the man responsible for the murders is behind bars.
“I’m just glad it’s over,” Shelia said.
It’s a day people close to the victims thought they would never see.
“I would’ve never imagined this," neighbor, Felicia Hayes said. "I mean I’m just dumbfounded but I’m grateful and I’m so glad that this has been resolved.”
“He totally ruined two families lives and he’s gonna get what’s coming to him,” said Drake’s daughter, Marie Brooks.
Investigators say Smiley was already behind bars for a different case when they charged him with the murders. More arrests are pending.
Police said they’re still looking for a second man believed to be involved in the murders.