Two Men Convicted in Violent Robbery of Hinsdale Jewelry Store

CHICAGO — A federal jury today convicted two men on robbery and weapons offenses for stealing expensive watches and jewelry at gunpoint from a Hinsdale store.

TOBIAS DIGGS, 26, of Chicago, and JOSHUA MCCLELLAN, 31, of Oak Lawn, robbed Razny Jewelers, 37 S. Washington St. in the western suburb, on the morning of March 17, 2017.  More than $200,000 in merchandise was stolen during the heist, including watches by luxury brands Frederique Constant, Patek Phillipe, and Tudor.  The defendants later sold, attempted to sell, or disposed of some of the stolen items in the Chicago area and Atlanta, Ga.

After a six-day trial in federal court in Chicago, Diggs and McClellan were convicted of all counts against them, including conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, transportation of stolen goods, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.  U.S. District Judge Gary S. Feinerman did not immediately set sentencing dates. 

The conviction was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and James M. Gibbons, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.  The Hinsdale Police Department, Oak Lawn Police Department, and the FBI Chicago Field Office’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team (CAST) provided valuable assistance.  Additional support was provided by the Felony Investigation Assistance Team (FIAT), a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement task force in the western suburbs.  The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Albert Berry III and Christopher V. Parente.

Two other individuals allegedly participated in the robbery.  MARVON HAMBERLIN, 42, of Chicago, was indicted and is a fugitive.  A warrant has been issued for his arrest.  The fourth individual has not been identified.

According to evidence presented at trial, the defendants planned in advance to rob Razny Jewelers.  On the day of the heist, McClellan drove the getaway car – a Lexus sport-utility vehicle – while Diggs and the others entered the store and pointed a gun at a female employee.  After the unidentified robber tackled a store security guard, Diggs hit the female employee with the gun and dragged her by her hair to a back room, while he and the others gained accessed to the store’s safe and stole the jewelry.

The conspiracy and robbery counts each carry maximum sentences of 20 years in prison, while transportation of stolen goods is punishable by up to ten years.  The firearm conviction carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, as well as a minimum term of imprisonment of seven years, which must be served consecutively to the sentences imposed for the conspiracy, robbery, and transportation of stolen goods convictions.