1 of 2 Suspects Arrested in Jewelry Store Robbery
A West Covina man remained in custody without bail Friday in connection with the killing last month of a jewelry store owner during a robbery attempt, police said.
Armand T. Washington, 19, was arrested Thursday night in West Covina and booked in Orange County Jail on suspicion of murder and robbery, Westminster Police Sgt. Tom Broderson said.
Police believe that Washington and an accomplice tried to rob Gold Port Jewelers, at 15372 Beach Blvd., on Dec. 29, but fled without taking any jewelry after a shoot-out with store owner Duyet Dinh Vu.
Two men ordered Vu and his two daughters into a back room of the store and tied Vu up before trying to break into the store’s jewelry cases. Vu, however, was able to get free, and a shoot-out ensued with the robbers. Vu, 42, was fatally wounded.
Broderson said that information from witnesses and other sources led police to Washington. Detectives are still searching for a second suspect, he said.
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