The specter of a brutal robbery, nearly three years past, hangs over three men poised to face the consequences of their actions. Jacqwan Bucknor, Tyreese Brown-Austin, and Dahlison Emile were scheduled to admit guilt this week for their roles in the violent attack on London Gold Buyers, a case that left the store owner fighting for his life.
However, a last-minute legal snag has delayed their reckoning until early December. The precise charges to which they will plead remain shrouded in uncertainty, a detail that will only be revealed when they return to court.
The charges currently leveled against them are severe: armed robbery, disguise with intent, firearm possession in a vehicle, and the theft of property exceeding $5,000. Brown-Austin faces a particularly extensive list, including aggravated assault and resisting arrest, adding layers to the gravity of the situation.
This case already saw one conviction. Dejan Stephen, in August of last year, took responsibility for the shooting that nearly claimed the life of Daniel Loewith, the 56-year-old store owner. Loewith endured months of hospitalization and a long, arduous recovery from the critical injuries he sustained.
Stephen’s acceptance of a seven-year sentence was the result of a carefully negotiated agreement. The remaining three accused bypassed the standard preliminary hearing process, their cases fast-tracked to the Superior Court – a move intended to expedite justice.
But this expedited route presented a complication. A guilty plea to charges not initially outlined in the indictment requires the consent of the Attorney General, a consent that was, surprisingly, not yet secured when the plea was anticipated.
The delay also conveniently addresses a pre-existing Charter argument concerning the length of time the case has taken to resolve. Now, December 2nd is set as the new date for the anticipated guilty pleas.
Brown-Austin and Emile, currently incarcerated, will not present any evidence during sentencing. Their lawyers have indicated they will be submitting joint sentencing recommendations for the judge’s consideration.
Bucknor, who was released on bail shortly after his arrest, is pursuing a Morris report – a specialized assessment examining potential anti-Black racism factors that may have influenced his involvement. His lawyer intends to present this report to the court.
The harrowing details of the robbery itself emerged during Stephen’s earlier plea. The attack unfolded in broad daylight, with masked men arriving at the store in a stolen vehicle, brandishing firearms.
One employee was brutally struck in the head with a gun, while Stephen and another assailant confronted Loewith in his office. When Loewith attempted to defend himself, Stephen fired, inflicting a life-threatening wound.
Employees were forced to hand over valuables as the robbers systematically smashed display cases with hammers, seizing jewelry with ruthless efficiency. A waiting getaway driver ensured their swift escape.
Ironically, their escape was orchestrated by a discarded cellphone. Police tracked the device even after the group abandoned the initial stolen car and transferred to a Honda Civic.
The pursuit led officers to Zorra Township, where the fleeing suspects were momentarily halted by a passing train. Undeterred, they attempted to evade capture, ultimately crashing into a ditch.
The wreckage yielded a significant recovery: two duffle bags containing $65,000 worth of stolen jewelry, a handgun loaded with 31 rounds, and a stolen Rolex watch. These recovered items served as crucial evidence in unraveling the crime.
As the case returns to court on December 2nd, the weight of the past three years will settle upon the three remaining accused, and the long-awaited pursuit of justice will continue.
