Feds cost 16 in reference to string of armed jewellery retailer robberies alongside East Coast

Federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment Wednesday charging greater than 16 people in reference to a string of retailer robberies alongside the Eastern Seaboard that regulation enforcement authorities say have been the work of an organized crew of armed and violent District-based thieves. 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia introduced federal theft prices in opposition to 16 individuals accused of involvement within the crimes. 

Gun prices have been additionally filed in opposition to 13 of the suspects, and two defendants — 32-year-old Jameise Christian and 28-year-old William Hunter, each of the District — have been charged with conspiracy to commit carjacking.

“The defendants targeted small businesses along the East Coast, stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of jewelry from hardworking families,” David Sundberg, assistant director in control of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, stated in a press launch. “For the past 20 months, the FBI worked with our partners across state lines to connect the defendants to these heists. Today’s indictment is a testament to the strength of our partnerships and the commitment we all share to eradicating violent crime.”

The defendants are accused of robbing 9 completely different companies in Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Florida between January 2022 and January 2023. The Virginia robberies focused two shops in Falls Church and two in Springfield, each of that are positioned within the D.C. metro space.

James Dennehy, the particular agent in control of FBI-Newark, stated the suspects dedicated “take-over style armed robberies meant to terrify and overwhelm store owners and employees.” 

Prosecutors stated the armed robbers disguised themselves in darkish clothes, masks and gloves, and shortly ransacked the companies in a smash-and-grab vogue earlier than fleeing to automobiles outdoors. 

All of the companies have been owned and operated by Asian-Americans, however U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves stated he’s not pursuing hate crime prices as a result of he didn’t suppose the victims have been focused due to their race.