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RAPAPORT... Jewelry crime suspect Nathaniel Pembrook of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was arrested yesterday and indicted on charges related to two Michigan state jewelry store robberies. He is scheduled to be transported to Detroit, Michigan for arraignment. Pembrook has been charged with interference with commerce by robbery, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted on all charges, Pembrook faces up to life in federal prison. On April 22, Pembrook, 42, along with three other suspects, robbed Medawar Jewelers located on Plainfield Avenue in Grand Rapids and Tapper's Diamonds & Fine Jewelry on Orchard Lake in West Bloomfield, according to the federal indictment. In both robberies, the suspects entered the stores during business hours with their faces covered, or at least partially covered, and brandished a firearm while ordering employees and customers to the floor. During the robbery at Medawar Jewelers, Pembrook was shot in the arm by one of the store owners. Blood recovered from the scene was DNA tested and determined to be his, according to the indictment.
"We are using federal resources to address serious incidents of violent crime, such as these armed robberies, because of the high risk of harm they pose to public safety," said U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade.
Paul Abbate, a special agent with the FBI's Detroit, Michigan field office, added, "The arrest and indictment of Mr. Pembrook for his involvement in these acts of violence reflects the dedication, cooperation and persistence of law enforcement at every level. It is this collaboration -- between federal, state and local authorities -- that has brought justice to bear upon Mr. Pembrook, and we will continue those efforts as we move forward in the investigation."
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