LOCAL : Suspect in a Series of Thefts Seized on Tip in Newport Beach

A tip from an alert passer-by who tailed a suspected robber as he fled from a Newport Beach jewelry store led to the arrest of a Redondo Beach man wanted by police in connection with a half dozen jewelry store thefts in South Coast Plaza, Fashion Island, Mission Viejo and San Diego County, authorities said today.

Gerald Robert Boyes, 23, who is also wanted on robbery charges by authorities in Florida, was charged with commercial burglary, grand theft and possession of stolen property. He was being held at the Orange County Jail in lieu of $150,000 bail, said Newport Beach Police Sgt. Andy Gonis.

Boyes, who is suspected of stealing $40,000 worth of jewelry from two stores in Newport Beach, was arrested Friday after allegedly running off with 10 rings from Mozaffarian Jewelry at 2901 W. Coast Highway. A woman who saw a man sprinting from the store told police she followed him across the highway and jotted down his license plate number. Boyes was later arrested in Gardena.

In all the incidents, the thief posed as a customer and snatched the items before the salespeople had enough time to react. Police said he never displayed a weapon.