A Delaware man will serve up to 35 years in prison for robbing an East Lampeter Township jewelry store – tying up two employees – before fleeing with jewelry.
Lancaster County Judge Merrill Spahn Jr. ordered Joshua R. Tyner serve 12 to 35 years for the Aug. 17, 2016, robbery at Zales Outlet Store at Tanger Outlet Center.
Tyner, 31, previously pleaded guilty to felony counts of robbery, kidnapping and conspiracy, and related charges.
At the recent sentencing hearing, First Assistant District Attorney Christopher P. Larsen responded to a lengthy letter Tyner wrote to Judge Spahn, in which Tyner says he did not intend to hurt anyone and bound the victims for their own safety.
Larsen said the latter claim was “comical,” noting that a female employee was injured while being tied up and put face-down on the ground.
Here is what happened on Aug. 17, 2016:
Tyner, disguised in a mask, wig, sunglasses and carrying a cane, entered the store. He displayed a handgun and ordered two employees to a rear room of the store.
Tyner threatened to shoot the employees while obtaining from them keys to display cases. Tyner bound the employees’ wrists and ankles with duct tape. He then took several pieces of jewelry from cases, placing the items in a bag he brought into the store.
Police determined Tyner fled in a rented vehicle, which was later found at a mechanic’s garage in Christiana. A garage employee said a man, matching Tyner’s description, had stopped there asking for an oil change and the address of the garage.
Police determined Tyner then fled the garage on foot and was picked up in a vehicle.
In the abandoned rental car, police found the stolen jewelry and other items tied to the robbery.
East Lampeter Township police Detective Joseph Edgell filed charges.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright