Two New Jersey men could face decades in prison after allegedly sledgehammering their way into a New York jewelry store during a 2024 robbery and taking more than $1 million in jewelry, prosecutors said.
Kevin Williams, 26, and Byron Wilson, 24, both of Irvington, New Jersey, have been charged with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and Hobbs Act robbery, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, according to Matthew Podolsky, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
The two were arrested by federal officials in New Jersey on Tuesday morning and later appeared before a judge in White Plains.
Attorney information for the men was not immediately available.
According to the complaint, Williams, Wilson, and two other co-conspirators drove a stolen car with a stolen license plate from New Jersey to the Westchester County municipality on December 16, 2024. Shortly after 11 a.m., the group allegedly arrived at a jewelry store in Hartsdale’s Westchester Square retail complex and began pounding its way inside, breaking display cases while customers were present.
They allegedly stole $1.7 million in jewels, diamonds, and luxury timepieces, including 70 Rolex watches.
According to the complaint, once they returned to New Jersey, Williams drove to New York City’s Diamond District, while Wilson returned to their shared house. Hours later, Williams, Wilson, and their accomplices posed for photos in Newark, smiling while holding big amounts of cash.
Federal prosecutors tracked the two guys down using their mobile locations and CCTV photographs. Williams and Wilson were apprehended on Tuesday after fleeing police for more than three months.
“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 jewelry store’s management confirmed the arrests but declined to comment on Tuesday.
