Violent Meriden Kidnapping, Fairfield Jewelry Store Robbery Results in Sentencing

On April 11, 2013, William Davis of Allentown, Pa., broke into an apartment on Gravel Street in Meriden with three other men at approximately 9 p.m.

All were wearing masks and gloves and two had handguns, according to a press release from Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut.

Four victims in the apartment were bound with duct tape and heads covered with pillowcases, towels and jackets, according to documents and information provided in court.

Davis, 27, and others involved forced two of the victims into a victim’s vehicle and drove to Lenox Jewelers in Fairfield, where the two victims worked.

“At the store, the perpetrators stole jewelry, watches and loose diamonds with a total replacement value of more than $3 million,” Daly said. “They then fled in the victim’s car, leaving the two victims bound inside the store.”

Davis was arrested at his Allentown residence on May 22, 2013. On that date, a search of his residence revealed approximately $65,000 in cash, seven expensive watches, several pieces of diamond encrusted jewelry and a large quantity of crack cocaine, Daly said.

He was ordered to pay restitution of more than $3.1 million and has been detained since his arrest.

On December 15, 2014, Davis pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Four other men have been charged with participating in this kidnapping and robbery. Two have pleaded guilty and await sentencing, and two are awaiting trial.

Related

• Five Indicted in Meriden Kidnapping, Multi-Million Jewelry Heist Robbery
• Three Plead Guilty to Robbery and Multimillion Jewelry Store Heist

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fairfield Police Department and Meriden Police Department. U.S. Attorney Daly also acknowledged the assistance provided by the U.S. Marshals Service and FBI in New York and Pennsylvania; the York, Allentown and Bethlehem Police Departments in Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Lee Dayton.