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WEST CHESTER — Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday for two men accused of participating in a 2020 bank robbery in Kennett Square, a case that police say was solved in part by DNA testing, phone records, and video surveillance.
Ivin William Cornelious and Jovone Larome Gordon are both charged with robbery, theft and conspiracy in the case, although court documents suggest that neither of the men were the actual gunman in the Kennett Square robbery at the S&T Bank there.
Rather, they are believed to have been in the two cars that were used in the getaway after the robbery, which reportedly netted about $10,000 in cash.
The jury will be chosen by the lead prosecutor, Deputy District Attorney Kate Wright and the attorneys for the two defendants — Assistant Public Defender Stewart Paintin for Cornelious and West Chester criminal defense attorney Michael Noone.
The trial will be overseen by Common Pleas Judge Analisa Sondergaard.
According to a criminal complaint filed in April 2021 by Corporal Christopher Gravina of the Kennett Square police Criminal Investigation Division, the robbery occurred at the bank branch on East Cypress Street between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. on March 5.
Bank employees reported that an unknown man arrived at the bank in a Chrysler 300, entered the bank, vaulted the counter and demanded cash. When a 62-year-old teller approached him the man — who was dressed in black and wearing a hooded sweatshirt and a mask —told her, “This is a robbery, bitch” pushing her aside.
He took cash out of her drawer and then fled out the front door, where he got into the passenger side of the Chrysler. The care was discovered abandoned about two blocks away.
Surveillance of the area discovered video of a Ford Crown Victoria in the area of Church Alley and Juniper Street, idling and circling the block. After the robbery, the Ford was seen on East Cypress Street passing the bank. It was later discovered abandoned in Wilmington, Del.
DNA testing from both cars showed that Gordon’s DNA was found on a water bottle found in the Ford, as well as from its gear shifter and steering wheel. Cornelious’ DNA was found on the water bottle as well, and brandy bottle found inside, and its steering wheel. Also found inside the Ford was a receipt showing that Gordon paid Cornelious $1,000 of the $1,500 he owned him.
Surveillance video from the area showed that the Chrysler and the Ford had been in Kennett Square in the days leading up to the robbery, with the Ford being spotted the day before. A check of phone records shopwed that someone using Gordon’s phone had been in Kennett Square on feb. 27, 2020, Feb. 29, 2020, and March 4, 2020. They also showed him in Kennett on March 5, 2020, the date of the robbery.
The identity of the gunman has never been established.
The trial is expected to last through the week. Both defendants — Cornelious, 43, of Smyrna, Del., and Gordon, 40, of Chester, have been free on bail pending their trial.
To contact staff writer Michael P. Rellahan call 610-696-1544.
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