What to Know
- Two New Jersey men are facing the possibility of spending decades behind bars after allegedly sledgehammering their way into an upstate New York jewelry store during a robbery late last year -- stealing more than $1 million in jewelry, the Office of the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York announced Tuesday.
- Kevin Williams, 26, and Byron Wilson, 24, both of Irvington, New Jersey, are charged with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and Hobbs Act robbery, each carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, according to Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
- The duo and co-conspirators allegedly got away with $1.7 million in jewelry, diamonds, and luxury watches during the heist.
Two New Jersey men could spend decades behind bars after allegedly sledgehammering their way into a New York jewelry store during a 2024 robbery and stealing more than $1 million in jewelry, prosecutors announced.
Kevin Williams, 26, and Byron Wilson, 24, both of Irvington, New Jersey, are charged with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and Hobbs Act robbery, each carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, according to Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
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WATCH HEREThe duo was arrested by federal agents Tuesday morning in New Jersey and later appeared before a judge in court in White Plains.
Attorney information for the men was not immediately known.
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SIGN UP According to the complaint, Williams, Wilson and two other co-conspirators drove a stolen vehicle with a stolen license plate from New Jersey to the Westchester County town on Dec. 16, 2024. Shortly after 11 a.m., the group allegedly arrived at a jewelry store in the Westchester Square shopping plaza in Hartsdale and started hammering their way into the store, smashing display cases while customers where in the store.
They allegedly got away with $1.7 million in jewelry, diamonds and luxury watches during the heist, including 70 Rolex watches.
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Once they drove back to New Jersey, the complaint alleges, Williams then drove to New York City's Diamond District while Wilson returned to the residence they shared. Hours later Williams, Wilson and their co-conspirators took photos smiling with large stacks of cash in Newark.
Federal prosecutors tracked the two men using their cellphone locations and surveillance images. After eluding law enforcement for more than three months, Williams and Wilson were taken into custody on Tuesday.
“As alleged, Kevin Williams and Byron Wilson, along with their co-conspirators, carried out the violent robbery of a jewelry store in broad daylight," Podolsky said. "Armed with sledgehammers, the defendants smashed their way in and then plundered the store of about $1.7 million in jewelry, diamonds, and luxury watches, all while innocent customers and employees hid for their safety. Today’s arrests should make clear that if you commit such brazen and dangerous crimes in this District, we will find you and hold you responsible.”
The management for the jewelry store said they were aware of the arrests getting , but did not wish to comment Tuesday.
