Pair of teens facing robbery charges after stealing necklace at gunpoint, police say
A pair of teenagers are facing felony robbery charges in Centre County for stealing a man’s diamond necklace at gunpoint.
Ezekiel M. S. Williams, 18, of Blair County, was accused of stealing the roughly $1,200 necklace during a December party at The Yards at Old State in Ferguson Township.
He was denied bail Friday by District Judge Kelley Gillette-Walker, who cited the nature of the charges and described Williams as a severe public safety risk. Williams, who had been free on bail, is facing an attempted homicide charge in Blair County.
He is now incarcerated at the Centre County Correctional Facility. Defense attorney Helen Stolinas, who represents Williams in his Blair County case, declined comment Friday.
In an affidavit of probable cause, Ferguson Township police said three men removed their firearms after being asked to leave the party. Williams held a firearm to the man’s chest, an officer wrote, while the other two held their weapons at his back.
After the man refused give to give up his necklace, police said Williams pulled it from the man’s neck. The three men then fled, though an officer said they were located the following day by Altoona police.
A search of a 16-year-old’s cellphone revealed multiple photos and videos of people posing with the necklace, including Williams police wrote.
He is also facing a felony gun charge, misdemeanor counts of terroristic threats, theft and simple assault, and a summary offense of harassment. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
An arrest warrant was issued for a 19-year-old Centre Hall man. He’s facing similar charges, including felony counts of robbery and carrying a firearm without a license.
This story was originally published February 27, 2026 at 12:49 PM.