DANVILLE -- Fewer than 18 hours after a robber doused two employees with pepper spray and Tasered them with an electric stun gun in an attempt to steal $163,200 worth of jewelry, Ryan's Jewelers was open for business Tuesday morning.
A store manager said the employees were doing fine and deferred all comments to Danville police and Montour County District Attorney Robert Buehner Jr., who teamed together Monday to halt the robbery in progress shortly after 5:30 p.m.
Eric J. Smith, 38, of Philadelphia, who allegedly sprayed and duct-taped a customer, was apprehended following a brief foot chase that ended with Buehner blocking Smith's path with his car. Smith's accomplice, described by police as a black woman with short black hair wearing dark sun glasses and a Bluetooth-style earphone in her right hear, remains on the run, according to police.
She was also described as wearing silver dress slacks and a suit jacket.
Several residents alerted Danville police of the robbery attempt when they noticed suspicious activity inside the store, according to Buehner.
Danville officer Gerard Zeidler Jr. ran down Mill Street to the store where he saw Smith in the customer area and the woman behind the counter. Zeidler shouted for them to get down on the floor, at which time, Smith threw something down with his right hand and dropped into a wide stance with his arms spread wide, according to an affidavit filed through District Judge Marvin Shrawder's office.
Zeidler's throat and lungs started burn as he noticed the smell of pepper spray, which intensified as he proceeded farther into the store. After a brief standstill, Smith and the woman fled out the back door, prompting Zeidler to holster his gun and pursue them on foot, according to the affidavit.
Zeidler then followed Smith across Rooney Avenue and toward Canal Street. As the pursuit turned onto Continental Boulevard, Buehner positioned his car to block Smith's path, the affidavit states.
Smith was then taken into custody by Zeidler and Danville Sgt. William Wilt.
The two employees, Linda Cavanaugh and Margaret Hunsinger, told police they were sprayed by Smith with mace, as was a customer, Dr. Michelle Olson, according to the affidavit.
Cavanaugh and Hunsinger also said they were shocked multiple times by a stun gun. Dr. Olson said she was duct-taped but didn't know by whom because of being sprayed, the affidavit states. The three victims were treated at the scene by Danville Ambulance Service, according to Buehner.
A state police records and identification unit from Montoursville was summoned to collect evidence, which resulted in finding a black bag filled with various bracelets, earrings, rings and two Rolex watches sitting on the floor in front of the store's vault, according to the affidavit. The items were valued at $163,200.
Wilt recovered a stun gun, a small sledge hammer, two black gloves, a black wig and a pair of sunglasses left at the store. Wilt also said there was a roll of duct tape found under a chair near a display counter where Zeidler saw Smith throw something, according to the affidavit.
Smith was placed in Montour County Jail in lieu of $1 million straight bail.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the Smith's alleged female accomplice are asked to call Danville police at 275-2101.
n E-mail comments to jnorth@dailyitem.com.
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