State College Police filed robbery charges Monday against Rodger Williams, 41, one of three suspects in the Jan. 9 armed robbery of Kranich’s Jewelers, 216 E. College Ave.
Williams has been in custody in Wake County, NC, since Jan. 28. He was arrested as he fled the scene of another jewelry store robbery in Cary, NC, police said.
Police revealed today that the total retail loss in the Kranich’s heist was worth $950,000. The suspects stole a “very large quantity” of ladies’ and mens’ jewelry, including Simon G, Harout R and Michael Kors brands. Some pieces were samples made from sterling silver and cubic zirconia stones, police said.
According to court documents, Williams was charged with first-degree felony robbery and criminal conspiracy. He was charged with a second-degree felony for having a .357 magnum revolver on him while robbing Kranich’s and was charged with third-degree felony theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property.
Williams was charged with misdemeanor recklessly endangering another person because he displayed the revolver to Kranich’s employees, placing them in danger of “death or serious injury,” according to court documents.
Police have not located the other two men who were with Williams when Kranich’s was robbed on Jan. 9. All three men were caught on surveillance camera and police released the photos in January.
According to court documents, Kranich’s employees were shown a long-barrel, silver-colored revolver and were told to hand over the keys to the display case. One of the three men robbed an employee of his wallet, Rolex watch, diamond ring and gold bracelet, causing the victim a personal loss of $8,800, police said.
Several agencies, including the Cary, NC, Police Department, the Philadelphia Police Department and the Philadelphia FBI Violent Crime Task Force, assisted in the investigation which culminated in the charges against Williams.
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