A Kalamazoo man accused of robbing a down town Brighton jewelry store has entered a plea.
Darvon Lawan Smith Jr. pleaded guilty Friday in Livingston County Circuit Court as charged to armed robbery in connection with the 2014 smash-and-grab robbery at Rottermond Jewelers on Main Street in downtown Brighton. The prosecution dismissed two felony counts alleging he resisted police.
Sentencing is Sept. 10 in Livingston County Circuit Court in Howell.
During the trial for a co-defendant, a Rottermond’s clerk testified that he saw two men — Smith and co-defendant Elijah Aquil Henderson, 19, of Canton — come into the store July 14, 2014, and one asked to see a $200 pendant for his mother. The clerk said while putting a pendant back, he heard a loud bang and saw the second man smash the display case four times with what he thought was a rubber mallet, but later realized was a steel hammer.
The clerk said both men then stole three Fake Swiss Rolex Watches valued at about $25,000 before fleeing. He said he ran after the suspects, grabbing one by the neck area while the other stopped and held the door open.
The trio then fled in a Pontiac Grand Prix but were stopped by authorities on Interstate 96 near U.S. 23 when the suspects made a U-turn and went the wrong way down the ramp. One suspect was arrested during the traffic stop while the other two fled and were found hiding in a Dumpster on Citation Drive.Buy Rolex Replica Watches Online
Henderson was sentenced in April to three years of probation with the first year served in the Livingston County Jail.
McCloud, who was the getaway driver, also was sentenced in April to 29 months to 15 years in the Michigan Department of Corrections. He is currently in the state’s Special Alternative Incarceration known as SAI boot camp.
Both men also were ordered to pay $7,360 in restitution for smashing the glass display case containing the Rolex Replica watches.