Bronx Man Arrested For Gunpoint Robbery Of Manhattan Jewelry Store

Geoffrey S. Berman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the Police Department for the City of New York (“NYPD”), announced that PEDRO DAVILA has been arrested for his participation in an armed robbery of a jewelry store in New York, New York, on Sunday, August 25, 2019.  DAVILA was apprehended Sunday night in Pasco County, Florida, by the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, and will be presented today before United States Magistrate Judge Thomas Wilson in Tampa federal court.  The criminal Complaint, unsealed today, also names JAYSEAN SUTTON as a defendant.  SUTTON remains at large.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As alleged in the Complaint, Pedro Davila participated in a brazen daytime robbery, in which victims were held at gunpoint and tied up.  This criminal conduct is intolerable, and thanks to the work of our law enforcement partners, the defendant faces significant federal charges for his alleged crimes.”

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “In the day and age of technology and cameras, you would think robbers trying to pull off a cinematic heist would think twice.  But these men allegedly took over a jewelry store in Midtown, tied up the employees and robbed it without believing they would get caught.  Their mistakes should be a warning to everyone wanting to be a copycat, you will get caught and pay the price for breaking the law.”

NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill stated:  “In working to reduce crime past already record-lows in New York City, the NYPD is relentless in our pursuit of the relatively small percentage of the population driving the violence and disorder. I commend the NYPD investigators involved in this investigation, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their efforts and making these arrests. The NYPD will continue, along with our law enforcement partners, to vigorously pursue and hold responsible individuals responsible for violent criminal activity.”

As alleged in the criminal Complaint:[1] 

On August 25, 2019, DAVILA, SUTTON, and a third co-conspirator committed a brazen gunpoint robbery of a jewelry store in Midtown Manhattan in broad daylight.  Surveillance video from the time of the robbery shows the robbers, two of whom were carrying guns, tying up several employees in a back room and throwing multiple pieces of expensive jewelry into bags before fleeing the store. 

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DAVILA, 27, of the Bronx, and SUTTON, 39, of Brooklyn, are each charged with one count of robbery, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of robbery conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of brandishing of a firearm, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding work of the NYPD’s Major Case Squad and the Joint Bank Robbery Task Force of the FBI and the NYPD.  Mr. Berman also thanked the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force of the United States Marshals Service and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in apprehending DAVILA.  

This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit and the General Crimes Unit.  Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher J. Clore and Alexander Li are in charge of the prosecution.