Armed Robbery Subjects

Police working to locate suspects accused of committing armed robbery at jewelry store

by Crime NewsCrime SuspectsCrimes

WANTED FOR ARMED ROBBERY

La Vergne, Tenn. – February 26, 2024 – La Vergne police are still searching for two men accused of a jewelry store robbery earlier this month � but now they�re one step closer.

The La Vergne Police Department identified the suspects as Laurese Webster-Stephen Jr. and Antoine Fairley. Police said the two were armed when they allegedly robbed the jewelry store on Feb. 14. They then fled the scene on foot. A perimeter was established after the incident, but the suspects were able to evade officers.

Click here to read the original source for this posting written by Carmyn Gutierrez.

If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the Jewelers� Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328.

diamonds

Police searching for man identified and accused of stealing from multiple Colorado jewelry stores

by Crime NewsCrime SuspectsCrime VideosCrimes

Longmont, CO – February 25, 2024 – Police up and down the Front Range are looking for 56-year-old James Margulis. He�s wanted by several police departments, accused of stealing from at least eight jewelry stores in two months. One victim is warning other business owners to be on the lookout.

Rudy Rodriguez is co-owner of a jewelry store in Longmont. He used to put the best, most expensive jewelry out on the floor. “Now, everything stays in the safe,” Rodriguez said. “You never know who’s coming through the door, because this guy that came through the door, he was nice looking and dressed well.”

Security video from Jan. 17 shows Rodriguez working behind the counter when a man in a tan jacket walks in. “I was going to show him one, and then he says ‘What about those?'” Rodriguez said. “I looked down and that’s when he took them and ran.”

The man stole a fistful of gold chains worth about $10,000. Rodriguez said he chased after the suspect, but he got away. “He stole from me,” Rodriguez said. “That’s why I pursued him, because it’s like coming into my house. This is our house. I was this close to grabbing that dude.”

Court documents show the suspect has a pattern. He acts like a typical customer coming in during business hours to shop for a family member. Sometimes it’s his anniversary and other times it’s a birthday or graduation. According to investigators, when he sees an opportunity to grab and run, he goes for it.

Court documents show Margulis has at least four warrants for his arrest. Two warrants are out of Boulder County, one out of Jefferson County, and another out of Larimer County. Margulis is accused of stealing from at least eight jewelry stores between Dec. 13 and Jan. 25. 

“It’s mind-boggling, and it’s upsetting,” Rodriguez said. “Do any of these other jewelry stores that he hasn’t walked into, do they know that’s his MO? Do they even know?”

Rodriguez has made some changes to his store. He�s added new security, such as motion sensor cameras. He�s also keeping more of their jewelry in the safe. “And if we show any of our gold, we show it over here,” Rodriguez said, pointing to the back of the store.

Margulis has been convicted of several thefts in the past. In addition to his new warrants, documents show he’s also wanted for violating parole.

Click here to read the original, unrevised article written by Brianna Clark.

Watch the video below to learn more:

If you have any information regarding these subjects, please contact the Jewelers’ Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328.

Handcuffs

Suspect Hits Victim with Vehicle After Stealing Jewelry and Fleeing; Suspect Later Taken into Custody

by ArrestsCrime NewsCrime Suspects

YUCAIPA, CA– On Wednesday, February 14, 2024, a male suspect entered a business and requested to look at jewelry from behind the counter. The clerk displayed several items to the suspect and assisted other patrons at the same time. As the other patrons were leaving, the suspect gathered the jewelry and ran from the store without attempting to pay for the items.

The victim chased after the suspect who ran to a nearby parking lot and entered the driver’s seat of the suspect vehicle. The suspect hit the victim with the vehicle, knocking him to the ground. The suspect fled the area and was last seen traveling west on Yucaipa Boulevard. The victim sustained minor abrasions from the assault.

Through investigative leads, the suspect was identified as Isaiah Vorise, 23, of San Bernardino. Vorise was out of custody and on bail on an unrelated Los Angeles County criminal case.

On Feb. 15, 2024, an arrest warrant was issued for Isaiah Vorise. Vorise was arrested later that same day in Los Angeles County. Deputies from the Yucaipa Sheriff’s Station served a search warrant at Vorise’s residence in San Bernardino but did not recover any of the stolen property. Vorise was booked at the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino for the arrest warrant for the jewelry theft. He was also booked on an additional charge of committing a new felony while out of custody on bail.

Click here to read the source for this posting.

Handcuffs

�Smash & Grab� Suspects Arrested in�Troy, Michigan

by ArrestsCrime NewsCrime SuspectsCrimes

Troy, Michigan – On February 3, 2024, the Troy, Michigan Police Department made six arrests recently of suspects involved in �smash and grabs� at six jewelry stores in Michigan and Ohio. The suspects could be the group that did a recent robbery at the Lima Mall in early January.

Five of the suspects have been charged with armed robbery, while one suspect is charged with unarmed robbery and receiving and concealing stolen property. A total of $170,000 worth of jewelry was recovered.

Deshawn Hammonds, 20, Jasmine Latricia Oneal, 29, Courtez Eugene Lawrence, 27, Eric Lamar Lambert Bennett, 27, Desean Shakari Hall, 31, and 21-year-old Andre Demond Jackson have all been arraigned and are being held in the Macomb County Jail.

On January 13, 2024, there was a smash and grab robbery at jewelry store in the Great Lakes Crossing Mall in Auburn Hills. Three black males wearing hoodies and surgical masks entered the store, smashed out the cases and stole several thousand dollars� worth of jewelry.

A suspect vehicle was identified that registered to a rental company. Subsequently, the renter was also identified. A short time later that vehicle was returned to a Lansing rental location, and a new vehicle was rented.

On January 22, 2024, Troy SIU was notified by the Lansing Mall of a smash and grab at another Jewlery store. Eaton County Sheriff�s Office determined the getaway vehicle from the theft was the newly rented vehicle. Further investigation concluded this same group was responsible for a total of six robberies in Michigan and Ohio.

The new rental vehicle was located, and surveillance was initiated. The vehicle travelled to Sterling Heights at which point Sterling Heights PD, Shelby Twp. PD and Troy PD Directed Patrol Officers were contacted and requested to assist. The vehicle entered the Lakeside Mall parking lot in Sterling Heights and began to circle the lot with another vehicle that was stolen from Harper Woods on 1/16/24. At approximately 2pm, four black males got out of the vehicle and went inside Lakeside Mall, leaving two individuals outside. All four were wearing hoods and surgical masks. After a few minutes of scouting, the four entered a Jewelry store near center court and immediately began smashing out cases. After grabbing what they could carry, they all fled on foot in various directions, but were quickly apprehended by officers on scene. All six suspects were transported directly to Macomb County Jail. Approximately $170,000 worth of jewelry was stolen/recovered.

The Troy Police Department credits the exceptional effort of the Troy Special Investigations Unit for this complex investigation and arrests. The Special Investigations Unit is comprised of officers from the Auburn Hills Police Department, Birmingham Police Department, Bloomfield Township Police Department, Royal Oak Police Department, and Troy Police Department. These investigators work together in a collaborative, multi-jurisdictional unit that investigates criminal activity impacting the region.

We would also like to recognize the collaborative efforts of the Eaton County Sheriff�s Office, the Sterling Heights Community Response Unit and the Shelby Township Police Surveillance Unit.

Click here to read the source of this posting.

ARREST

Queens, NY- Alleged robber busted in violent NYC jewelry heist that injured elderly woman.

by ArrestsCrime NewsCrime Suspects

QUEENS, NY – January 25, 2024 – A second suspect was arrested this week in connection to a violent heist that left a 79-year-old woman injured nearly a year ago, cops said.

Abel Andrade Vargas, 21, of Syracuse, was arrested Wednesday, January 24, 2024 and charged with two counts of robbery in connection to the Feb. 22, 2023, robbery at a jewelry store.

Vargas – joined by 33-year-old accomplice Andry Marcano – rushed into the store, where the violent duo punched, kicked and pistol-whipped 79-year-old Yuchi Lin around 2:30 p.m., cops said.

Store owner Eva Chen previously told The Post her mother, Yuchi, had just flown in from Taiwan for a visit hours earlier when the daughter went to get lunch and left her mom in charge of the store.

“They pointed a gun at her head and said, ‘Open the safe! Open the safe!'” Chen, 43, said of the broad-daylight horror. “But my mom didn’t know. She was totally terrified.”

One of the suspects posed as an Amazon worker and even tried to throw the senior off by placing a package at the door to the shop, Chen said at the time.

Footage obtained by The Post shows Lin peeking out the door as she goes to get the package a few minutes later, then quickly trying to close it as the man in the Amazon garb runs up. 

The suspect catches the door and pushes his way past the defenseless senior into the store, just as his accomplice, wearing all black – who was still hiding on the staircase – forces his way inside, too. 

Another video released by the NYPD shows one of the men pushing past the woman as she flails at his feet.

His masked partner – with a reusable shopping bag in one hand – whips a gun out from his waistband as the elderly store worker raises her hand over her head in self-defense.

In another clip, the woman can be seen cowering on the floor as glass from a broken jewelry enclosure falls around her.

The two robbers removed jewelry before fleeing on foot.

The septuagenarian was hospitalized in stable condition.

Marcano, of New Jersey, was arrested back in May and also charged with two counts of robbery, police said. 

“This could happen to anyone, right?” Chen said last year. “Wearing a costume, knock on the door – your parents, your kids – open the door, and they have a gun!”

‘They can kill anyone. That’s really crazy. They are wearing a costume. They could wear a police costume, they could wear a Con Edison costume.”

A voicemail left on the business’ phone was not immediately returned Thursday.

Click here to view video and read the original source of this posting written by Amanda Woods from the New York Post.

Angelina Ordonez

WANTED- Self-described influencer identified in string of jewelry store thefts in San Diego County and possibly, elsewhere

by Crime SuspectsCrimes

EL CAJON, Calif. – January 22, 2024 – Investigators are on the hunt for a woman wanted for a string of thefts at jewelry stores in San Diego County and possibly, elsewhere.

Late December, at around 2 p.m., El Cajon Police Sgt. Kevin Reilly says a woman walked into a jewelry store with a request. “She requested to see necklaces that were in the display in front of her, and they were gold necklaces,” said Sgt. Reilly. Sources tell ABC 10News she was well put together, from her makeup to a stylish hot pink jacket. She mentioned she was an �influencer,� and she was draped in diamonds, from diamond rings and a bracelet to a necklace. Police say the store employee took out several necklaces from a display.

“The jewelry is pulled out for her to try on. At one point, she steps away and makes a phone call on her cell phone. She returns back to the counter and informs the clerk that she�ll take it, and then she grabs the handful of jewelry and runs out of the business,” said Sgt. Reilly.

Investigators say the woman made off with $36,000 in gold necklaces.

Police say parking lot surveillance photos showed the car she got into, a getaway driver at the wheel. License plate cameras helped police identify the car and the alleged thief: Angelina Ordonez, 23, with addresses in San Diego and Yuma, AZ.

“She had committed the same style of theft at a jewelry store in Escondido later that same day after ours. Approximately two weeks prior, she committed a similar theft at a jewelry store in Carlsbad,” said Sgt. Reilly. Police are looking into links to several other, similar thefts in Southern California, Arizona and Michigan, all in the past few months.

Investigators advised Ordonez was detained for shoplifting in Arizona earlier this month, but the theft warrants weren’t yet active, and she was released. Police have not confirmed if her claims of being a social media influencer are legitimate.

Click here to view the news clip and click here to read the original source for this posting.

If you have any information regarding this suspect, please contact the Jewelers’ Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328.

Kevin Mitchell

Wichita, KS- Police searching for suspect in jewelry theft

by Crime NewsCrime Suspects

Kevin Mitchell

WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) – January 18, 2024 – Kevin Mitchell, 61 years old, is wanted in a theft at a local jewelry store was all caught on camera. Police have captured one suspect, but the other is still on the run. They need the public�s help catching him.

Security cameras show a man and woman inside the jewelry store in September. While the jewelry store owner was putting something back in a case, the two quickly left. On their fingers, $18,000 worth of diamonds.

“I was so mad,” said the owner. “I couldn’t believe they did it. I’ve been doing this for 40 years. They played me good. I believed them.” She says the couple came in saying they were looking for wedding rings. “She got it on her finger and said �this is the one I want,'” said the owner.

She said the woman then asked if there was a man�s ring to match. Sayre showed them the matching ring with diamonds.  That’s when she says they took off. They hopped into a running car and left.

“They were seen at another jewelry store,” said Crime Stopper�s Coordinator Kris Gupilan. “So who knows what their intent was there, but we know what their intent was in this case because they left with a couple of rings. This is definitely something we need help with from the public.”

Just last week, authorities say they captured the woman. But now they are looking for 61 year-old Kevin Mitchell, the other suspect.  “He’s going to do it to other people,” said Sayre. “It affects the community. If this keeps happening there won’t be personable stores to shop at because we can’t afford it. They’re going to put us out of business.”

Click here to view video and click here to read the original source for this posting written by Deb Farris.

If you have any information regarding this suspect, please contact the Jewelers’ Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328.

Charles Robinson Shay

Arrest Related to Homicide of a Jeweler

by Crime Suspects

Wheat Ridge, CO – January 8, 2024 – Investigators have reason to believe that a man suspected of burglarizing a jewelry store, a month after its owner Peter Arguello was shot and killed, could be tied to the homicide.

On November 29, 2023, Peter Arguello, the owner of a jewelry store in Wheat Ridge, CO was shot and killed. The killer fled the scene. A stolen red Chevrolet Silverado was found burned two days after the homicide.

While investigating Peter Arguello’s murder, investigators found three flex cuffs on the floor in front of the store’s safe, where silver and coins had been removed. According to an affidavit, surveillance footage showed a male suspect tried to use the cuffs on Arguello, but Arguello resisted, and the suspect shot him.

The Jefferson County Regional Crime Lab conducted a DNA test on the flex cuffs, and on December 8, 2023, found the DNA on the cuffs matched the DNA profile for 40-year-old Charles Robinson Shay.

On December 26, 2023, at approximately 5:00 a.m., a month after the homicide, a subject broke into the jewelry and antique store formerly owned by Peter Arguello. The subject set off the store’s alarms and did not steal anything. Authorities also discovered a stolen vehicle was parked nearby and was linked to Shay.

Following his arrest, Shay admitted to burglarizing the store on December 26th. According to the affidavit, Shay reportedly told investigators, he “saw it as a crime of opportunity, knowing that the business was boarded up and not occupied.”

When a detective informed Shay that his DNA had been found on the flex cuffs from the scene of the homicide, police indicate that Shay stopped talking.

Shay had previously been convicted of motor vehicle theft, drug possession, vehicular eluding, identity theft and theft. He is currently being held at Jefferson County Jail on suspicion of aggravated motor vehicle theft and second-degree burglary.

Charles Robinson Shay

Charles Robinson Ray, 40. Image Credit: Wheat Ridge Police Department

The deceased jeweler, Peter Arguello, is pictured below.

Peter Arguello

Watch videos below of those who knew Peter Arguello.

Image of Jewelry Thief

Wanted Grab & Run Thief Steals from Manhattan Jewelry Store:

by Crime Suspects

New York, N.Y. – January 4, 2024 � Earlier in the month of December 2023, the female subject below, allegedly committed a grab and run theft at a jewelry store in Manhattan, NY.

The subject walked into the store at 4:12 p.m., and proceeded to grab unspecified jewelry items. The thief then fled the scene.

If you have any information regarding this subject, please contact the Jewelers’ Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328.

manchesterr

Manchester, NH- Arrests made in 2 jewelry store thefts: UPDATE

by ArrestsCrime Suspects

Manchester, NH – December 13, 2023 – Manchester Police have made arrests in connection with two jewelry store thefts that happened last month. The first was on November 20, 2023. According to an employee, a man walked into the store and asked to see a gold chain. While viewing the jewelry, he took the chain and walked out.

Through the investigation police identified the man as 23-yearold Kevin Donnelly of Manchester. Donnelly was arrested and charged with theft by unauthorized taking.

This was the first of two thefts at the jewelry store in the span of three days, in each the suspect utilizes snatch-and-grab tactics to steal gold chains.

The second incident occurred on November 25. The suspect involved in this theft was identified as 28-year-old Drae-Shawn Hernandez of Manchester. He was located and arrested and faces a charge of theft by unauthorized taking.

Police are still looking for the man involved in a theft at another jewelry store on November 28, 2023. In that incident, the suspect asked to see gold rope chains and cross pendants. As he viewed these chains, he got ahold of one and left the store. Police have identified that suspect as 42-year-old Timothy Maclean of Manchester. There is an active warrant for Maclean�s arrest charging him with theft by unauthorized taking.

UPDATE: 42-year-old Timothy Maclean was the third suspect was ARRESTED, following an investigation into another snatch-and-grab-type theft at a Jewelers on Elm Street on Nov. 28.

In that case, Maclean allegedly walked into the store and and asked to see gold rope chains and cross pendants, only to leave after he managed to grab one of the chains.

Arrested on Dec. 12, Maclean was charged with theft, adding to charges he faced from another warrant, including Receiving Stolen Property and Felon in Possession of a Dangerous Weapon.