LOWER MANHATTAN — Two neighboring Canal Street jewelers were robbed on Saturday, in a pair of violent incidents that did not appear to be related, authorities said.
At about 2 p.m. on Saturday, a pair of robbers posing as potential customers headed into Best Canal Jewelers, police said.
A saleswoman at the 325 Canal St. shop showed the man and woman a case of rings, but after turning her back for a moment, the 50-year-old employee realized a ring was missing, according to a criminal complaint from the Manhattan DA's office.
When she confronted the woman, Renee Wilkinson, 42, and man, Kevin Fellman, 33, the pair tried to leave the shop. Wilkinson then became violent, and punched the saleswoman in face, leaving her with a cut, according to the complaint.
They were both charged with second-degree robbery, and were released on their own recognizance, according to the DA's office.
The pair are due back in court on Feb. 3.
Requests for comment from their court-appointed attorneys were not immediately returned.
Later on the same day, at about 6:45 p.m., LGS Jewelry at 316 Canal St. was robbed of an $1,800 necklace, authorities said.
A 41-year-old store employee said that 23-year-old Rason Peterson snatched the chain out of his hands, then ran off, according to a complaint from the Manhattan DA's office.
The salesman then chased after Peterson, and was able to stop him, but the alleged thief then began to punch the man in the face repeatedly. The shop employee was left with a cut and swelling, according to the complaint.
Peterson was charged with second degree robbery and had bail set at $15,000, according to the DA's office. He's due back in court on Oct. 16.
His legal aid attorney did not immediately return request for comment.
Both jewelry shops did not immediately return request for comment.
