Cops: DNA IDs One of Three Men Who Stole Jewelry with Sledgehammers

After the dramatic daytime robbery at David Harvey Jewelers in June of 2011, Darien police recovered the getaway car, which had enough DNA evidence in it to identify one of the robbers, who is now behind bars, police said.

Here’s the news release from Darien police (with minor changes to fit Patch editorial style):

On June 28, 2011 at approximately 11 a.m., three unidentified males entered David Harvey Jewelers, 995 Post Rd., carrying sledgehammers and wearing ski masks.

The subjects proceeded to smash several glass display cases and removed numerous high-end watches valued at over $422,000.00.

After approximately 1-2 minutes, the subjects exited the store and fled the area in a stolen Toyota Corolla. Witnesses observed the vehicle enter I-95 South towards New York. Numerous law enforcement agencies were advised of the incident but the vehicle could not be located.

During the investigation, Darien Detectives viewed surveillance footage and observed that two of the subjects were wearing light colored work gloves during the robbery.

On July 9, 2011 the NYPD contacted Darien Police indicating that they had recovered the stolen vehicle used in the robbery, within the confines of the 43rd Precinct, Bronx, NY. Darien Detectives then seized the vehicle and returned it to Darien.

During the processing of the vehicle, detectives recovered several pieces of evidence including two pairs of light colored work gloves, a “Black Toy Watch” wristwatch, a separate watch price tag unique to David Harvey Jewelers, and several pieces of shattered glass that matched the shattered display cases at David Harvey Jewelers.

Both pairs of gloves were sent to the State of Connecticut forensic lab for testing and analysis.

On March 3, 2014 this agency was notified that a DNA match had been generated through the National Offender DNA Database. DNA recovered from one of the pairs of work gloves matched the DNA profile of Richard Garrison, [33 years old] of Bronx, NY.

Garrison has an extensive criminal history including Robbery, Assault, and Burglary. An arrest warrant was secured for Garrison but at that time his whereabouts were unknown.

On Aug. 8, 2014 we were contacted by NYPD who advised that they had located Garrison and he would remain in custody until our extradition process could be completed.

Garrison was then turned over to Darien Detectives on Aug. 21, 2014 and was transported to Darien Police Headquarters. He was charged with one count of second-degree robbery and one count of first-degree larceny. Garrison currently resides at 17-19 West 107th St. Manhattan, NY and is being held on a $500,000. bond. He will be arraigned in Stamford Superior Court on Aug. 22, 2014.