2 Suspects Arrested in Robbery at Lakewood Mall Jewelry Shop

Two men suspected of stealing $22,000 in jewels from a Lakewood shop were arrested Friday after a chase that ended in a residential area of South Los Angeles, sheriff’s deputies said.

The suspects, both captured within five hours of the strong-arm robbery, were identified as Richard Lamont James, 25, and Gene Jackson, 35, both of Los Angeles.

Deputy Rick Adams said the men were booked on suspicion of robbery. James’ bail was set at $6,000 and Jackson’s at $16,000. Deputies said Jackson told them that he was on parole.

The suspects allegedly took the jewels from Daniel’s Jewelers at 2600 Lakewood Mall Drive about 1:15 p.m. and raced away in a car, investigators said.

Found in Garage

James was arrested about three hours later, when a special weapons team and a police dog found him in a garage near 109th Place and Spring Street.

“He was found in a nearby garage behind one of the main locations,” Deputy Irene McReynolds said. “On him was what was believed to be all of the stolen jewels and the victim’s business card.”

Jackson was arrested after a special weapons team fired tear gas into a home at 200 W. 109th Place. The gun he allegedly pointed at officers was not found.

“They fired tear gas in and they were going inside the house when simultaneously the suspect began climbing out of the roof and was taken into custody without incident,” Adams said.

Witnesses saw the robbers leaving the store in a blue Ford Mustang. A sheriff’s deputy spotted two men fitting the description driving west on the 91 Freeway and attempted to stop the car.

Adams said that the suspects failed to stop and that the pursuit ended when the car was abandoned in an alley.