Hamilton Jewelers Robbery Suspect Still in Custody

The suspect who was arrested in connection with in Lawrence Township, and who has also been charged as a suspect in two other armed robberies in Hamilton Township, remains in custody at the Mercer County Correction Center in Hopewell Township.

The suspect, Nicholas G. Horace, 19, of Spring Street in Trenton, is being held in lieu of $675,000 bail, officials at the county jail confirmed today.

Following his arrest on April 26 – the day after the holdup of the jewelry store at 2542 Brunswick Pike (Business Route 1) – Horace was charged by Lawrence Township police with armed robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, theft by unlawful taking and criminal mischief, according to Casey DeBlasio, spokeswoman for the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.

In court records, DeBlasio said, authorities allege Horace entered the store about 12:15 p.m. on April 25 carrying a black handgun and shattered a glass display case holding Rolex watches. Horace and two companions quickly scooped up 12 watches – worth a total of $121,200 – and fled the store, she said.

The trio was last seen speeding away in a gray or silver vehicle that was possibly driven by a fourth person.  

Township police, led by Detectives Joseph Lech IV and Kevin Reading Jr., soon developed some “promising leads” that prompted authorities to and take Horace into custody.

Following his arrest in connection with the Hamilton Jewelers heist, Horace was charged by Hamilton Township police with two armed robberies that took place in that municipality.

On April 28, according to DeBlasio, Hamilton police charged Horace with armed robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose in connection with the holdup of a Runway gas station on April 22. During that crime, Horace allegedly pointed a handgun at the station attendant and stole money, she said, citing the court records.

And then on May 10, Hamilton police filed additional armed robbery and weapon charges against Horace after they were able to connect him to the holdup of the Great Wall Chinese restaurant, on George Dye Road, DeBlasio said. That crime took place on April 25 – the same day as the Hamilton Jewelers robbery. During the holdup, Horace allegedly stole money after pointing a gun at an employee, she said.

DeBlasio said no date has been set yet for the allegations against Horace to be presented to a Mercer County grand jury for possible indictment.