Three men suspected in a “brazen” El Monte jewelry store heist were behind bars Sunday as police continued to seek a fourth suspect, authorities said.
Devon Gholston, 21, of West Covina, Albert Turner, 18, of Cerritos and Rodnell Moorer, 19, of Los Angeles were arrested after they allegedly carried out an armed, smash-and-grab jewelry store robbery, then led police on a high-speed chase that ended at a West Covina shopping mall, El Monte police Detective Ralph Batres said.
“It was a brazen robbery right in the middle of daytime shopping,” the detective said. The robbed jewelry store sits in a shopping plaza.
Four men armed with handguns and wearing ski masks carried out a robbery about 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Don Roberto Jewelers, 11980 Garvey Ave. in El Monte, Cpl. Juan Casados said.
The men smashed open display cases and helped themselves to jewelry and cash before fleeing, the corporal said.
Minutes later, police said, an El Monte police officer spotted an Oldsmobile sedan matching the description of the getaway car used in the robbery at Garvey and Santa Anita avenues.
The Oldsmobile led police on a high-speed chase down the 10 Freeway to West Covina, and the four suspects jumped out of the car and tried to run in the parking lot of a Macy’s at the Westfield West Covina Shopping Mall, 1111 Plaza Drive in West Covina, Casados said.
Two of the four suspects were arrested without incident, while a third was taken into custody after police shot him with a Taser, Casados said.
The fourth suspect escaped, prompting police to set up a search perimeter in the area.
Officers searched the inside of the Macy’s and a nearby Applebee’s restaurant, where witnesses reported seeing the fleeing suspect, but the fourth robber was not found, Batres said. Police continued seeking him Sunday.
The outstanding robbery suspect was described as a black man in his early 20s, of medium build and wearing dark clothes.
In the suspects’ car, Casados said, police found allegedly stolen jewelry and cash.
Turner, Gholston and Moorer were being held in lieu of $1 million bail each and were expected to be arraigned Tuesday in El Monte Superior Court, authorities said.
Authorities are investigating the suspects in connection with other recent jewelry store heists, including an Oct. 21 smash-and-grab robbery at another Don Roberto Jewelers in Fullerton, officials said, though a solid link had not been established Sunday.
“The crimes are similar,” Batres said.
Following the Fullerton crime, in which three masked men smashed open display cases and stole jewelry, three Los Angeles gang members were arrested later in the day hiding out at a Santa Fe Springs motel.