Couple Robs Jewelry Store, Then Leaves Their 4-Year-Old Son Behind

Sheakia Stubbs, 31, and boyfriend John Benson, 47, went shopping this past weekend at a Philadelphia jewelry store. The couple, however, had not planned on buying a thing. Instead, they were casing the place to see what pricey baubles they could stuff in to their bags. The duo brought along their 4-year-old son to act as a distraction, but he just threw a wrench in their scheme, so they dumped him.

On Saturday, Stubbs, Benson and their son strolled in to Platinum & Ice Jewelry store in Philadelphia at about 3 p.m. When approached by a salesman, the couple asked to see women's diamond rings.

Shortly after examining the tray of costly trinkets, the couple created a diversion. They were able to then snatch the display of jewelry, worth tens of thousands of dollars, dump the items in to a bag and hightail it out the store with their 4-year-old in tow.

According to police records, the store's owner and an employee gave chase to the couple and child. Stubbs split, going in another direction and Benson kept running with the boy. Benson, who was finally cornered by his victims, pulled out a razor or knife and proceeded to slash the jewelry store owner across his face and neck. He then got away again, but this time, solo. The robber left his hysterical young son behind.

Capt. Laurence Nodiff, commander of South Detectives in Philadelphia, said that despite the fact the owner suffered a "severe, vicious, laceration," he managed to care for the boy until police arrived.

The couple stole a total of fifteen rings, which are valued at approximately $50,000.

An investigation soon revealed that the robbers were hiding out at a nearby hotel. Police staked out the property, and when Stubbs returned to the location at about midnight, she was immediately arrested. Benson was subsequently placed in cuffs a short time later. Stubbs and Benson face charges of attempted murder, robbery, conspiracy and a host of other crimes.

The jewelry has not been recovered and authorities suspect the couple sold everything off.

The child was luckily unharmed and placed in the custody of the city Department of Human Services. The couple's arresting officers stated that the serial career criminals never even asked about their son. "I think it's unbelievable that you'd take a child with you to commit a crime," said Capt. Nodiff. "I think it's reprehensible that . . . to make good on your escape, you leave your 4-year-old behind."