Federal prosecutors unsealed a criminal complaint Wednesday charging three Lawrence men in connection with the December 2023 armed robbery of a local jewelry store, during which more than $500,000 worth of jewelry and precious metals were allegedly stolen.
Eric Rosario, 26, also known as “Maniactico”; Rosnel Polanco, 26; and Robert Santana, 29, who also goes by “Amaury Perez” and “Piccarine,” each face one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, commonly referred to as Hobbs Act robbery.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, Santana was arrested Tuesday, while Rosario and Polanco were already in custody on related state charges. The defendants are scheduled to appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.
Charging documents allege that on December 15, 2023, the three men entered a Lawrence jewelry store armed with firearms. They allegedly robbed employees of personal jewelry and cell phones before forcing them at gunpoint to the store’s basement, where safes containing valuable merchandise were located.
Prosecutors claim the defendants compelled the store owner to open the safes, resulting in the theft of approximately $500,000 in jewelry and precious metals. A second safe reportedly could not be opened. The suspects then allegedly fled in a rented Nissan Altima, which was found burned in a field in Maine the following day.
If convicted, each defendant could face up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing would be determined by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and applicable statutes.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy announced the charges along with Essex District Attorney Paul F. Tucker, Homeland Security Investigations New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol, Massachusetts State Police Interim Colonel John E. Mawn Jr., and Lawrence Police Chief Millix Bonilla.
The investigation involved cooperation from multiple agencies, including assistance from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department and the Norway and Oxford Police Departments in Maine, highlighting the interstate nature of the crime.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.
Authorities emphasized that the charges are allegations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
This case underscores ongoing efforts to combat violent crime in the Lawrence area and the collaboration between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. The involvement of out-of-state law enforcement also highlights the complex nature of tracking and apprehending suspects who cross state lines.
As the case proceeds, it may draw attention to broader issues of jewelry store security and the challenges faced by small businesses in protecting against armed robberies. The prosecution is likely to be closely watched by the local community and jewelry industry stakeholders concerned about similar crimes.
Source: DOJ
