TV Used as Weapon in Shoplifting-Turned-Robbery

Two Trenton men were arrested Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 31, and charged in connection with their alleged roles in a shoplifting that - in the eyes of the law - became a robbery when, according to Lawrence Township police, one of the men used a television he was trying to steal as a weapon to fight off a store clerk who had chased after him.

The crime took place just before 4 p.m. at the Radio Shack store in the Lawrence Shopping Center in the 2400 block of Brunswick Pike (Business Route 1).

Police allege that Robert J. Williams, 44, of the 400 block of Walnut Avenue, Trenton, went into the electronics store and asked the clerk about some merchandise that required the clerk to go into the storage room at the rear of the store.

While the clerk was in the storage room, Williams allegedly grabbed two TVs, still in their boxes, and exited the store, according to Lt. Charles Edgar, police department spokesman.

When the clerk returned from the storage room and did not find Williams in the store, he looked outside and saw Williams running away with the two TVs, Edgar said. He said the clerk gave chase and caught up with Williams, at which time Williams allegedly swung one of the TVs by the handle of its box and hit the clerk on his head.

Williams then dropped both TVs and continued running in the direction of Princeton Pike, Edgar said.

Township police officers, meanwhile, hurried to the shopping center after receiving a call from a witness reporting one man chasing another following what appeared to be a shoplifting. Officers quickly met up with the Radio Shack clerk and obtained a description of the would-be TV thief.

Edgar said officers learned that the suspect – later identified as Williams – entered the Retro Fitness gym after fleeing the clerk but then, after making a phone call, exited the gym a short time later and got into a black BMW sedan which, in turn, left the shopping center.

But officers soon spotted a vehicle matching that description and stopped it in the area of the Brunswick Circle. Williams was riding as a passenger in the car, which was being driven by David C. Chavies, 37, of the 200 block of Walnut Avenue, Trenton, according to Edgar.

Following additional investigation by officers, Williams and Chavies were arrested and each was charged with robbery and theft, Edgar said, explaining that Chavies was charged with the same offenses as Williams because Chavies allegedly was present in the shopping center parking lot standing by as the “getaway driver” during the shoplifting-turned-robbery.

Edgar said the clerk of the Radio Shack did not suffer any serious injuries from being struck on the head with the TV.