Two men suspected of stealing more than $1 million worth of jewels at gunpoint from a Los Gatos jewelry store in 2012 have been arrested in Oklahoma, police said Friday.
Willie Thompson, 51, and Melvin Andrews, 48, were arrested Wednesday and booked into Oklahoma County Jail and await extradition to California, police said. Officials said a joint effort between the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department and Oklahoma robbery detectives helped nab the suspects.
Both Thompson and Andrews are residents of Oklahoma City and were wanted in connection to a Nov. 27, 2012 armed robbery at Blacy's Fine Jewelers, located at 51 University Ave. in Los Gatos. Police said during the incident two armed suspects wearing masks entered the store and stole more than $1 million worth of jewelry at gunpoint.
During an ongoing investigation in 2013, Los Gatos-Monte Sereno police detectives received a tip from an Oklahoma narcotics task force that led to the recovery of evidence related to the robbery. Police said the stolen jewels were found taped to the battery in a car rented by Thompson and Andrews.
Jeanette Blacy, who owns the Las Gatos jewelry store, said late Friday the arrests helps, but the robbery haunter her every day.
"It's traumatic," Blacy said. "Every day. Even multiple times during the day our hearts jump."
Police are investigating whether the suspects are connected to other jewelry store robberies across the nation.
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Anyone with information regarding the suspects is asked to contact the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department at 408-354-8600.
