Henrico Man Convicted of Armed Robbery of Jewelry Store at Chesterfield Towne Center Mall

RICHMOND, VA—Samuel G. Mamudu, 25, of Henrico, Virginia, was convicted yesterday by a federal jury on charges related to his role in the October 9, 2013, gunpoint robbery of Prince Jeweler’s jewelry store in the Chesterfield Towne Center Mall.

Dana J. Boente, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Adam S. Lee, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field office; and Colonel Thierry Dupuis, Chesterfield County Police Department, made the announcement after the verdict was accepted by United States District Judge Henry E. Hudson.

Mamudu was convicted on one count of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Mamudu faces a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years of incarceration and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment when he is sentenced on June 13, 2014.

Mamudu was indicted on December 17, 2013, by a federal grand jury on interference with commerce by robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. According to court records and evidence at trial, Mamudu entered into the Prince Jeweler’s jewelry store, located in Chesterfield Towne Center Mall, brandished a firearm, robbed the clerk of several items of jewelry, and fled the scene. Several days later, Mamudu was identified as the armed robber and arrested by the Chesterfield County Police Department with several of the stolen pieces of jewelry in his possession. At trial the government’s evidence included fingerprints, surveillance video, and testimony from the victim, who identified the defendant and described the handgun he brandished during the robbery. Mamudu testified in his own defense at trial, admitting that he stole the jewelry but denied committing an armed robbery. Assistant United States Attorney Erik Siebert cross-examined Mamudu, highlighting the multiple versions of events he had previously given to law enforcement, including his initial denial that he was even in the store during the robbery.

This case was investigated by the FBI and Chesterfield County Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Erik S. Siebert and Peter S. Duffey prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.