TWO MEN ARRESTED FOR 1.7 MILLION DOLLAR SMASH AND GRAB

HARTSDALE, NY — Brazen thieves who used sledgehammers to smash their way into a Westchester jewelry store, may have celebrated their successful heist too soon, according to authoriti , the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of NY, announced on Tuesday the unsealing of a complaint charging two New Jersey men with the Dec. 16 robbery of a Hartsdale jewelry store, where they stole approximately $1.7 million of jewelry.

Kevin Williams and Byron Wilson were arrested Tuesday morning in New Jersey, and were scheduled to be presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy in White Plains federal court.

"As alleged, Kevin Williams and Byron Wilson, along with their co-conspirators, carried out the violent robbery of a jewelry store in broad daylight. 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," Podolsky said. "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."

According to court documents, on December 16, Williams, Wilson, and their co-conspirators drove a stolen vehicle with a stolen license plate from New Jersey to New York. Around 11:07 a.m., they arrived at a jewelry store in the Westchester Square shopping plaza in Hartsdale, exited their vehicle, and sledgehammered their way into the store.

Once inside, with "innocent customers cowered in fear for their safety," the robbers smashed display cases and stole around $1.7 million in jewelry, diamonds, and luxury watches, according to the DOJ. They then returned to their vehicle with bags of stolen goods and drove back to New Jersey, according to the DOJ complaint.

Once they arrived in New Jersey, Williams drove to the Diamond District in New York City, while Wilson returned to their shared residence, prosecutors contend. A few hours later, Williams, Wilson, and their co-conspirators took photos of themselves holding large amounts of cash, according to court filings.

Williams, 26, and Wilson, 24, both of Irvington, New Jersey, are charged with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and Hobbs Act robbery, each of which carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

Podolsky praised the work of the FBI's Westchester Safe Streets Task Force and Newark Field Office, as well as the Nassau County Police Major Case Squad, the Town of Greenburgh Police Department, and the Newark Police Department.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.