November 23rd, 2007
Police find stolen diamonds

Suspects who officials say grabbed rings and ran from two San Marcos stores located later by investigators who expect arrests soon.

From the city of San Marcos

San Marcos Police recovered three stolen diamond rings and anticipate the arrest of two suspects in two thefts at a pawnshop and a jewelry store since Tuesday.

At about approximately 2:51 p.m. Nov. 20, a man went into the National Pawn & Jewelry at 1430 I-35 South and asked to view a diamond engagement ring. When the clerk showed the suspect the ring, he grabbed it from the clerk and ran from the store. The suspect fled in a gray vehicle bearing Washington State license plates.

A short time later, a different suspect driving the same vehicle attempted to pawn the stolen ring at another pawnshop in San Marcos. The clerks at the store had been alerted to the earlier theft and refused to buy the stolen ring.

On Wednesday November 21 at approximately 10:24 a.m., a suspect matching the description of the theft at National Pawn entered the Zales store in the Springtown Mall and inquired about several diamond rings. As the clerk showed the suspect two rings, he grabbed the rings and fled the store in a dark gray vehicle.

Following up leads developed in the investigation, San Marcos officers and detectives identified and interviewed one suspect at a local apartment complex. Information obtained led to the recovery of the three stolen rings at pawnshops in Austin and San Marcos as well as the identification of a second suspect.

The case is still under investigation and arrests are anticipated, Police Commander Terry Nichols. The suspects face charges of theft under $20,000, a state jail felony

“The holiday season is a prime time for thefts like this and we urge residents and businesses to remain vigilant,” Nichols said.