The West York Borough Police have charged four people for their involvement in a multi-state commercial distraction theft ring that stole thousands of dollars from local businesses. Police began their investigation on April 28, 2012. Several thousand dollars were stolen from the Smokers Outlet, 1600 block West Market Street. Police say two suspects distracted the clerk, while two of their accomplices acted as lookouts to enable a fifth member of the ring to enter the store office and remove the safe from the store.
A similar theft took place at the Giant Foods Store, 1200 block West Market Street in West York Borough on December 28, 2012. Again, a clerk was distracted by one suspect while another suspect as a lookout enabling a third person to force entry into the store office, subsequently stealing cash.
Through an extensive investigation, several of these perpetrators were identified and criminally charged by the West York Borough Police. The investigation also identified at least eight other suspects that have been involved in this group, that have committed several similar-type thefts throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia and all within the past eight years.
ARRESTS:
The following suspects are charged with Conspiracy to Commit Theft by Unlawful Taking and Conspiracy to Receiving Stolen Property for the 04/28/12 incident.
– Ondray M. Gwynn, 54 of Baltimore, MD
– Roy Hamilton, 55 of Baltimore, MD
The following suspects are charged with Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Trespass Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Trespass, Conspiracy to Commit Theft by Unlawful Taking and Conspiracy to Receiving Stolen Property for the 12/28/12 incident. In addition to these crimes Ondray Gwynn was also charged with Possession of Instruments of Crime.
– Ondray M. Gwynn, 54 of Baltimore, MD
– Stanley W. Gwynn, 44 of Baltimore, MD
– Nathan E. Cockrell, Jr., 54 of Baltimore, MD
Ondray Gwynn and Roy Hamilton are currently held in a regional jail in Virginia. Stanley Gwynn and Nathan Cockrell are currently wanted by the WYBPD and have outstanding warrants for their arrests on criminal charges stemming from this incident.
Police continue to work on identifying the remaining actors from the 04/28/12 incident. Anyone with additional information is asked to call Ptlm. David Kahley at 717-854-1975 or our anonymous tip line at 717-478-TIPS (8477). They may also leave an anonymous tip on our webpage, http://www.wybpd.org
PREVIOUS INCIDENTS:
In 2005, Ondray Gwynn and two others were charged by Springettsbury Twp. Police after stealing jewelry from a jewelry store in the Township.
In 2006, Ondray Gwynn and two others were charged in Montgomery County, PA after stealing a ring valued at $150,000 from a jewelry store in King of Prussia.
In 2011, Ondray Gwynn, Stanley Gwynn, Nathan Cockrell, Roy Hamilton and a female were charged after a distraction theft at a convenience store in White Hall, WV.
In 2012, Ondray Gwynn, Roy Hamilton were charged after a distraction theft at a jewelry store in Fredericksburg, WV. They were released on bail, which allowed Gwynn to commit the December theft in West York. In January, he was incarcerated again in Virginia as he awaits trial.
West York Borough Police Department are actively working with several other police agencies in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia and continue to investigate the numerous other thefts this ring has been involved in.