Michael Cornelious, Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery, Texas 2017

Irving, Texas — In a violent pre-dawn smash-and-grab that netted over $370,000 in stolen jewels, a crew of armed robbers from Houston descended on Tilak Jewelers in November 2013, smashing glass, zip-tying owners, and fleeing in stolen vans. Now, two key players in the operation — Michael Cornelious, 27, and Larry Solomon, 43, both of Houston — have been locked up for years after pleading guilty to federal charges tied to the heist.

Cornelious was sentenced to 150 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade, with a restitution order of $370,718.72. He pleaded guilty in October 2017 to one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery. Solomon, sentenced to 130 months by the same judge, admitted in June 2017 to the same conspiracy charge and an additional count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. He, too, owes $370,718.72 in restitution.

The robbery crew consisted of 13 total suspects, all charged in a February 2016 indictment. Alongside Cornelious and Solomon, the others — Afraybeom Traverom Jackson, Dominique Pearson, Hilton Murdock Aitch, Irving Tyrone Flanagan, Terrence Lynn Thompson, Anthony Ray Turner, Jr, Treveon Dominique Anderson, Xavier Rashad Ross, Joshua Deunte Caldwell, and Vanlisa Scott — were each charged with conspiracy and firearm use in a violent crime. Jimmy Hatchett was added in a later indictment on October 12, 2017.

According to court filings, on November 17, 2013, Jackson, Caldwell, Pearson, Turner, Anderson, and Ross drove a stolen cargo van straight to Tilak Jewelers at 8300 North MacArthur Boulevard. Wearing gloves, long sleeves, and face coverings, they smashed through the locked glass door with a hammer. Inside, they zip-tied the owners and staff before ransacking display cases and taking high-end jewelry.

Outside, Aitch, Flanagan, and Thompson acted as lookouts, maintaining radio contact to warn of police. After the theft, the crew fled in the cargo van to a prearranged spot, where Solomon waited in a stolen minivan. He transported the robbers to another location where Cornelious, in a switch vehicle, helped them disappear into the night. Vanlisa Scott later retrieved the stolen goods and transported them back to Houston.

Eleven of the 13 defendants have now pleaded guilty. Two remain set for trial on January 29, 2018. The operation, meticulously planned and ruthlessly executed, was dismantled through a joint investigation by the Irving Police Department, Houston Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox announced the sentences this week, calling it a victory for justice in the Northern District of Texas.

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