Another Jewelry Mart robbed

GLENDALE — Police are investigating whether four men arrested Wednesday after a smash-and-grab robbery of a Pasadena Jewelry Mart were related to an almost identical incident Monday in Glendale.

Both robberies were at Jewelry Marts, and both involved smashing glass display cases in broad daylight, grabbing the merchandise and fleeing.

Glendale Police Sgt. Tom Lorenz could not confirm whether they were connected, but said detectives were looking into the matter.

Wednesday’s daytime robbery occurred at the Pasadena Jewelry Mart in the 400 block of East Colorado Boulevard, police officials said.

As in the Glendale robbery at the store in the 200 block of North Brand Boulevard, a group of four to six men reportedly wore dark, hooded clothing when they entered the store, smashed several glass display cases, took jewelry and fled.

A minor injury was reported during the robbery, Pasadena Lt. Tracey Ibarra said.

While some thieves fled on foot, others were suspected of leaving the scene in two vehicles, according to the Burbank Police Department, whose helicopter helped search for the suspects. Two getaway vehicles were also allegedly used in the Glendale incident.

The helicopter searched the area on Wednesday surrounding Interstate 110 and Orange Grove Avenue and helped spot one of the suspects as he ran west from the highway, according to police.

The suspect jumped over a fence into the backyard of home in the 500 block of South Orange Grove Avenue in South Pasadena, where police reported finding him under a pickup truck in a driveway.

After a lengthy search that required aid from the Special Weapons and Tactics Team, four men — Michael Newman, 21, Dwayne Johnson, 19, Darren Ferns, 25, and Marcus Posey, 26 — were arrested in connection with the Pasadena robbery, Ibarra said.

Thieves in the Glendale robbery, which occurred just before 1 p.m. Monday, used what appeared to be hammers and axes to smash several glass jewelry displays.

Three people were arrested in connection with the robbery after a freeway pursuit, police said.

But several of the thieves remained at large, so Glendale police on Tuesday released surveillance video footage of the robbery to generate leads from the public.

In that robbery, witnesses reported seeing the suspects entering at least two cars, including a burgundy Buick and dark-colored Dodge Charger, Lorenz said.

Police are looking for multiple suspects, described as being black and between 18 and 25 years old.

Anyone with details about the robbery is urged to call Glendale police at (818) 548-3987, or Glendale Crime Stoppers at (818) 507-7867. To remain anonymous, call the Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers’ tip line at (800) 222-TIPS.