Suspected Gunman, Alleged Drug-Dealer-Victim Both Arrested as Lawrence Police Solve Armed Robbery

While investigating a reported armed robbery Tuesday evening  (Feb. 19), Lawrence Township police officers arrested both the suspected gunman and the would-be victim after they discovered that the victim had allegedly tried to sell marijuana to the other man, township police spokesman Lt. Mark Ubry revealed.

The investigation began, he said, when police received a call from Jeremy Smith, a 27-year-old resident of Windsor Court, Ewing Township, who claimed that he had been robbed at gunpoint of $50 by someone he knew by the name of “Rich.”

Ubry said Smith told police the crime happened earlier that day, about 2 p.m., at the Steward’s Crossing apartment complex off Bunker Hill Road.

Sgt. Chris Longo and Detective Robert Potter soon identified the alleged gunman as 20-year-old Richard Giehl and located him at his home on Gary Court, which is located off Bunker Hill Road in Lawrence Township, Ubry related.

Their investigation, according to Ubry, revealed that Giehl had stolen a Glock 9 mm handgun from his father and had used that weapon to steal a quantity of marijuana that Smith had allegedly offered to sell him.

Ubry said Giehl was taken into custody and charged with theft (two counts, for allegedly stealing the handgun and drugs), armed robbery, aggravated assault (for allegedly pointing the gun at Smith), unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and possession of marijuana under 50 grams. The handgun was recovered, Ubry added.  

Smith, meanwhile, was arrested and charged with drug offenses, including distribution, and obstructing the administration of law (for allegedly trying to pull away from Detective Potter while Smith was in custody at police headquarters), Ubry said.