Two sledgehammer-equipped thugs who helped jack the $1.7 million gems and watches, including the 70 Rolex, were covered in a shady Westchester County robbery in New Jersey on Tuesday, the Fed said.
A cohort of Kevin Williams, 26, 24, 24, 24, 24, and 24, drove a stolen dark blue jeep grand cherokee at Westchester Square Shopping Plaza in Hertsdale around 11am on December 16, according to a statement from US mandate Matthew Podolski of the Southern District of New York.
Criminals began to wear everything black and carry hammers, attacking jewelry stores there, and destroying display cases like shocked customers and workers were terrified, authorities said.
The masked bandit snatched expensive pieces, including diamonds, rings, necklaces, earrings and gorgeous watches.
They then hustled into the stolen jeep and towed a bag of illegal booty – Podolsky said it returned to its garden state.
Investigators then tracked the phone and discovered Williams had traveled to the Diamond area of Manhattan's Midtown while Wilson returned to his shared home in Irvington, New Jersey, a city of about 60,000 just west of Newark.
A few hours later, the poaching pair posed with their conspirators for a photo where they all had a fat stack of cash, the statement said.
Wilson was also busy investigating the phrase “Hartsdale News” on his mobile phone and reading an article about the robbery entitled “Talleytown Jeweler for Hartsdale's victims of daytime robbery,” officials said.
He Googled “Tudor Geneve Watch.” Obviously, the Fed said he was trying to learn more about some of the expensive items the gang stole.
But his and Williams' luck were charged on Tuesday with two federal numbers, including a conspiracy to run off with collars and commit a robbery.
Each count brings it in a prison for up to 20 years.
The pair were scheduled to be arrested in White Plains federal court on Tuesday.
“As doubtful, Kevin Williams and Byron Wilson, along with their conspirators, carried out violent robbery at the jewellery store during the day,” Podolski said.
“Armed with a sledgehammer, the defendant broke his way and plundered a store of gems, diamonds and luxury watches that cost around $1.7 million.
“Today's arrest should make it clear that if you commit such a brave and dangerous crime in this district, we will find you and hold you accountable.”
