NEWS INFORMATION FROM

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 717.255.3040

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
22 September 2003

THREE ARRESTED, TWO SOUGHT IN UPTOWN JEWELRY STORE ROBBERY

Harrisburg, PA—Mayor Stephen R. Reed today announced that three suspects have been arrested and two more are being sought in connection with the August 20th armed robbery of the Canal Jewelers store in the Uptown Plaza. Jason E. Crawley, age 20, of the 3100 block of Brookwood Street has been charged with actually committing the robbery, and police are looking for another as yet unidentified suspect who accompanied him inside the store. Others have been charged or are being sought in connection with their roles in the incident.

Reed said Crawley and the unidentified African American male suspect entered the store around 5:15 p.m. and pretended to make a purchase. When they approached the register, Crawley punched store clerk Hyonsuk Suh and then drug her into a rear storage room while his accomplice stole thousands of dollars worth of items from the display cases. The pair fled the scene when an unknowing customer entered the store.

The Mayor said William D. Rogers, age 19, of the 500 block of S. 2nd St. in Steelton, has also been charged in connection with the incident. Rogers served as the getaway driver for the pair. Another unidentified African American male suspect acted as look-out for the robbers. Both have been or will be charged with multiple counts of robbery, conspiracy and related charges.

The Mayor said undercover city police officers working on the case were attempting to purchase jewelry on the street based on tips received, which resulted in the arrest of a 17-year old New Cumberland female juvenile suspect who has since been charged with receiving stolen property. Police were also able to obtain additional information about the case that led to a Swatara Township home were most of the stolen jewelry has since been recovered. Charges are currently pending against the unidentified owner of the house.

Reed said city police investigators have conducted an intensive investigation since the crime, resulting in the arrests announced today. Dozens of interviews, street canvassing and witness information led to the identification of the suspects.

“This was a particularly brazen and violent crime,” said Mayor Reed, “and Ms. Suh is fortunate to have not been more seriously injured or even killed. We hope for swift and harsh penalties for all those involved, and our appreciation is appropriately extended to all of the law enforcement officers, witnesses and others who assisted us in solving this crime.”

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