Trio Federally Indicted for Alleged Outlets Robbery

A Federal Grand Jury has indicted three Philadelphia men on charges of robbery which interferes with interstate commerce, in connection with the November 3 robbery of a jewelry store in Pottstown.

Limerick Township police arrested the three following a brief chase and recovered the stolen items. 

According to a release by the United States Attorney's Office, Willie Hawkins Smith, Brian Marquise Sheed and Amin Abdur-Rahe Shabazz, all of Philadelphia, allegedly stole 12 wristwatches with an approximate value of $64,809 from the Ultra Diamonds jewelry store located on West Lightcap Road. The indictment adds that the trio used both actual and threatened force by brandishing and swinging a sledgehammer to threaten store employees and destroy property.

Due to Ultra Diamonds being an interstate chain that is headquartered out of Chicago, the Federal Bureau of Investigation was tasked to handle the investigation. In ddition to Limerick's police department, local police departments from Lower Pottsgrove, Upper Providence, Royersford and Philadelphia also aided in the investigation.

If convicted, the three men face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, along with a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas M. Zaleski.