4 NJ Jewelers Targeted In Multi-State Robbery Spree: Feds

ISELIN, NJ - Four Garden State jewelers were hit between June and December of last year as part of an armed robbery spree in multiple states, federal officials said.

16 alleged members of a violent crime ring were indicted in the alleged crimes, which also include armed carjackings, money laundering and weapons offenses, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves said. The jewelry store robberies targeted Asian-American owned businesses in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Florida, Graves added.

The indictment was unsealed Wednesday.

The crime ring hit the following New Jersey stores: Virani Jewelers in Iselin (June 10, 2022); Paradise Jewelry Store in Paterson (Oct. 25, 2022); Sara Emporium Jewelry in Jersey City (Nov. 27, 2022) Chintamanis Inc. in Franklin Park (Dec. 22, 2022), Graves said.

The indictment alleges that William Hunter, also known as “Ill Will,” committed the carjackings from Sept. 11, 2022 and Oct. 22, 2022, alongside others.

Trevor Wright, 32; Avery Fuller, 28; William Hunter, 28, and Franklin Hunter, also known as “Gino,” 29, all of Washington D.C., conspired to launder the proceeds of the stolen items, Graves said.

Federal agents and local police arrested the following individuals Wednesday morning: Andrew Smith, 29, of Maryland; Davon Johnson, 30, of Washington D.C.; Decarlos Hill, 29, of Maryland; Gomaa, 45, of Virginia; Jaylaun Brown, 21, of Washington D.C.; Keith McDuffie, 26, of California; Robert Sheffield, 32, of Washington D.C. and Timothy Conrad, 32, of Washington D.C.

Wright, Hunter, Fuller, Antonio Tate, 20, of Washington D.C.; Delonte Martin, 25, of Washington D.C.; Brown, Jameise Christian, 32, of Washington D.C. and Lamont Marable, 27, of Washington D.C., were already in custody in connection with the crime spree.

Search warrants were also executed during the arrests, resulting in the seizure of multiple guns and approximately $300,000 from a safe in one of the charged individuals' homes.

The individuals face charges from conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce (Hobbs Act robbery), interference with interstate commerce by robbery, using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, conspiracy to commit carjacking and conspiracy to engage in monetary transaction in property derived from specified unlawful activity.

If convicted, the charged individuals face up to 20 years in prison on the Hobbs Act robbery charge; five years in prison on the conspiracy to commit carjacking charge and 20 years in prison on the money laundering charge.

A federal judge will determine the appropriate sentence after considering the "appropriate sentencing guidelines and other factors," federal officials said.

"This indictment alleges a conspiracy to engage in a violent armed robbery spree involving commercial establishments throughout the Eastern Seaboard,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “One defendant is also charged with conspiracy to commit carjacking as part of the spree, and others are charged with laundering the proceeds from the robberies. With an increasing number of robbery schemes that cross state lines, collaborative operations like this one are critical to holding accountable those who threaten the safety of our communities."