Kay Jewelers robbery solved; earlier arrests in Laconia for robbery of bank in Manchester involved some in same group

TILTON — Police have released the names of five people who have been convicted and or indicted in connection with the November 4, 2011 armed robbery of the Kay Jewelry store at the Tanger Outlet Center.

The store was robbed just before 8 p.m. on a Friday night. Police and witnesses said three men wearing "scream" masks entered the store and forced customers, including a mother and her 12-year-old daughter, and employees alike to the floor at gunpoint.

One man broke the jewelry cases with a hammer and a second scooped out the jewelry. The three fled on foot.

Walter Williams, 44, of Compton, California pleaded guilty to the armed robbery of Kay Jewelers as well as Hannoush Jewelers and Northeast Credit Union – both in Manchester.

Delano Nelson, 49, of Los Angeles, California was arrested in Los Angeles on July 20. He was indicted by a federal grand jury for both the Hannoush Jewelers and the Kay Jewelers robberies and is being held pending trial in New Hampshire State Prison.

Katie T. Falls, 29, of 20 True Road in Meredith pleaded guilty to being the getaway driver in Belknap County Superior Court. She was sentenced to two 12-month sentences for misdemeanor charge of receiving stolen property and for accomplice to armed robbery. The sentences are to be served consecutively.

Shylo Johnson, 25, who police said has had addresses in Sanbornton, Laconia and Gilford pleaded guilty in federal court to robbery for the Northeast Credit Union and the Kay Jewelers robbery.

Prince Sage, 27, of Dewey Street in Laconia pleaded guilty to the Northeast Credit Union bank robbery and his sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 12, 2012.

Williams and Johnson were arrested in early December of 2011 by police from Tilton, Laconia, Manchester, the FBI and the U.S. Marshals Joint Fugitive Task Force.

Tilton Police Chief Robert Cormer said yesterday the two were on foot in the vicinity of the Landmark Hotel in downtown Laconia at time of their arrests.

Laconia Police arrested Prince without incident on December 27, 2011 at his then apartment on Dewey Street.

Meredith and Tilton Police arrested Falls without incident.

Cormier extended his thanks and appreciation to the various police agencies, including his own team, who worked and solved what he said was "one of the more challenging cases of his career."