Woman Killed in Jewelry Store

Gunmen shot and killed a 52-year-old woman behind the counter of a Lake Forest jewelry store Thursday and shot her husband, the store owner, in the head, police said.

Nouhad Sleiman was killed at about 11 a.m. inside Jewel Garden, a small store in a strip mall on El Toro Road. Her husband, Michel Sleiman, 54, was shot several times. He underwent surgery at Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center and was in critical condition Thursday night.

The suspects fled in a gray sport utility vehicle and were still at large Thursday evening, Orange County Sheriff’s Lt. Hector Rivera said. It was unclear if they got away with money or jewelry.

It was the second time that Jewel Garden has been robbed. In January 1997, Timothy Sladeck, a suspended Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy, stole $117,000 worth of merchandise from the shop. He later pleaded guilty.

Witnesses who saw the gunmen flee Thursday described one as a white male in his 30s, 6 feet and 170 pounds, with dirty blond hair. The other man was described as 5 feet 5, wearing dark clothing and weighing about 150.

“We are intent on trying to find evidence that will identify the suspects,” Rivera said.

The Sleimans, who emigrated from Lebanon to Orange County 15 years ago, had built a successful business, friends and family members said. Just last week, the couple moved into their dream house in Nellie Gail Ranch in Laguna Hills, said Sam Chammas, a cousin who drove to the store when he heard about the robbery on the radio.

“This is the second time. I don’t know why they were targeted,” Chammas said. “They are very hard workers. They bought the store to make a life for their family.”

As sheriff’s investigators combed the store for clues, a trickle of customers showed up, including Stephanie Brown of Lake Forest, who was to pick up a diamond. She broke into tears when she learned of the killing.

“It doesn’t make any sense,” Brown said. “They’re very careful about who they let in. Most of their customers, they know them by name. They have a lot of regulars.”

Prudence Sims, who works at a Home Savings branch a few doors from the jewelry store, fingered the gold and diamond cross on a gold chain around her neck.

“I bought this cross from them,” Sims said. “I bought things there pretty often. It was my favorite jewelry store. They were very nice people, and their kids were always going in and out. They were just very helpful all the time.”

Even before the last robbery at Jewel Garden, the store had been outfitted with gates over the front windows and a security door that can be opened only from inside.

“They said that was one of the risks of having a jewelry store,” said Dan Mata, a postal worker who delivers their mail. “They were the nicest people, and then someone had to come and do this.”

The shootings had a chilling effect on other local jewelers, some of whom have either increased their security lately or plan to do so.

Raffi Torossianowner of Raffi Fine Jewelry in Laguna Hills, hired a guard after his store was robbed in February 1997. Torossian took news of Thursday’s shooting especially hard, because he had worked with the Sleimans and considered them friends.

“It makes you sick to your stomach,” he said. “It gives you second thoughts about continuing in this business. It’s not worth your life. You’re trying to make an honest living and someone comes in and just ruins your life and ruins your business.”

Torossian, who has been in business for 12 years, is considering adding a metal detector. But he said there is little a merchant can do when confronted with a gun.

“The best thing to do is just give them what they want,” he said. “That’s what insurance is for. Stay alive.”

Winston’s Jewelry in Costa Mesa, which was robbed in June, will soon have a second door that employees will buzz customers through.

“That’s just part of the business,” said manager Freddy Cruz.

Jim Hartstein, owner of Jewels by Joseph in Costa Mesa, was somewhat resigned to the potential danger.

“There’s only so much you can do if someone comes in with guns blazing,” Hartstein said. “It’s very distressing for all merchants, not just jewelers.”

Claudette Hurst, owner of Hurst & Son Jewelers in Newport Beach, said above all, employees must pay close attention to who they let through their doors.

“We’re just very alert,” said Hurst, who uses a buzzer system. “The nicer [a customer] looks, the more leery you have to be. It used to be the other way around.”

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Times staff writers David Haldane, Scott Martelle and Erika Chavez also contributed to this story.