Fayetteville Jewelry Heist Nets Stallcup 27 Years In Prison

Stallcup
Stallcup

FAYETTEVILLE -- A Michigan man who stole $300,000 in jewelry from a Dickson Street store was sentenced Thursday to more than two decades in federal prison.

Jason Warren Stallcup, 40, of 1435 S. Cedar St. in Owosso, Mich., was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 27 years and three months followed by five years supervised release. U.S. District Judge Tim Brooks also ordered Stallcup to pay $173,000 restitution.

Stallcup robbed the Romance Diamond Co., 248 W. Dickson St., on Dec. 15, 2008.

Stallcup pleaded guilty in October to interference with interstate commerce by robbery and to brandishing a gun during a crime of violence. He was sentenced to 20 years, the maximum, on the robbery charge. On the gun charge, Stallcup was sentenced to seven years and three months. The sentences will run consecutively.

"The violent manner in which this defendant terrorized these three innocent victims is totally unconscionable," U.S. Attorney Conner Eldridge said in a news release. "Thanks to the dedicated work of local law enforcement and Michigan authorities, this offender was apprehended and brought back to be held accountable for this outrageous crime."

Stallcup entered the business about 10:30 a.m. the day of the robbery carrying a large green gift bag, according to police. He pulled a gun from the bag and demanded two employees fill the bag with jewelry, including diamond rings and emeralds. Stallcup bound the employees wrists and ankles with zip ties. He pointed a gun at a customer and bound his ankles with zip ties.

Investigators used video surveillance for a description of Stallcup and the 2001 Chrysler Sebring he was driving.

On Dec. 30, 2008, the Williamston Police Department in Michigan notified Fayetteville police Stallcup was a person of interest in an arson investigation there and had family in the Fayetteville area.

Detectives identified a pawn shop in Charleston, S.C., where Stallcup sold several diamonds and watches.

On Jan. 2, 2009, two Romance Diamond employees and a customer identified Stallcup in a photo lineup as the man from the robbery.

On Jan. 5, 2009, Stallcup was arrested in Michigan after police found a loaded .22-caliber pistol and zip ties in the truck of his car. Stallcup said he used the gun in the Fayetteville robbery.

After pleading guilty to a gun charge in Michigan, Stallcup was extradited to Arkansas to face charges.

The case was transferred to federal court because of Stallcup's extensive and sometimes violent criminal history and because the jewelry was moved in interstate commerce.

Dustin Roberts, assistant U.S. attorney, prosecuted the case against Stallcup.

NW News on 03/21/2014

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