Coin shop robbery lands man in prison

NORRISTOWN » A Pottstown man who prosecutors alleged took part in the armed robbery of a borough coin shop is on his way to prison.

David Lakem Smith, 29, of the first block of North Penn Street, was sentenced in Montgomery County Court to 2 to 4 years in a state correctional facility after he pleaded no contest to a charge of robbery but guilty to a charge of firearms not to be carried without a license in connection with the Oct. 18, 2018, holdup at Barry’s Coins in the first block of North Charlotte Street.

A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt but is an admission that prosecutors have sufficient evidence to prove the charge at trial.

The sentence was imposed by Judge Risa Vetri Ferman.

Smith’s co-defendant, Nafis Darnell Allen, 20, of the 800 block of East High Street, Pottstown, previously was sentenced to 2 to 4 years in state prison after he pleaded no contest to a felony charge of robbery in connection with the incident.

The investigation began about 11:50 a.m. when Pottstown police responded to the coin shop for a report of an armed robbery in progress. The victim stated he was robbed at gunpoint by sev

eral males and that “one grabbed him by the throat and put a gun to his head,” according to the criminal complaint filed by Pottstown Detective Michael Glauner.

“They shoved the victim and hit him in the head. The suspects also kept asking the victim where the money was and told the victim that they will kill him,” Glauner alleged. “The suspects grabbed the money from the cash register and fled the scene.”

The victim reported that between $400 and $500 was stolen and that one $2 bill was a rare 1953 bill with a red stamp, according to court papers.

Shortly after the robbery, police observed Allen and Smith, who matched the descriptions of the robbers,

in the area of North Franklin Street and Union Alley.

Police stopped Allen, who quickly ditched a bicycle he was riding, according to court papers. During a search of his person, Allen was found possessing currency, totaling $200, hidden in both socks.

“One of the $2.00 dollar bills was rare from 1953 with the red stamp,” Glauner wrote in the criminal complaint.

Police alleged Smith attempted to run but an officer grabbed him and a brief scuffle ensued, according to

court documents.

“Smith kept reaching for his pocket and resisted arrest,” Glauner alleged, adding an officer employed a Taser in order to get Smith to comply.

After Smith was taken into custody police determined he possessed a 9mm Ruger handgun in a jacket pocket “that was loaded with one in the chamber and six in the magazine,” Glauner alleged.

“The gun had the serial number painted over in the red paint,” Glauner alleged.