LAPD Detectives Nab High-Priced Exotic Jewelry Thieves

"LAPD Detectives Nab High-Priced Exotic Jewelry Thieves"
 
Los Angeles:On Tuesday, July 10, 2001, an African-American male went into the Fred Leighton Jewelry Store in the Bellagio Hotel located in Las Vegas. The suspect pretended to want expensive items for his girlfriend and asked to see several pieces of jewelry. Among those items was a yellow multi-carat diamond ring with an estimated retail value of $600,000.00. After viewing the ring, the suspect requested to see a bracelet. When the clerk opened the display case to put the ring back, the suspect pushed the clerk out of the way and took six pieces of jewelry including the exotic mutli-carat diamond ring, a watch and a bracelet. The suspect then fled to a waiting car, driven by a second unknown suspect.
On Thursday, July 12, 2001, the Las Vegas Police Department requested assistance from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Burglary-Auto Theft Division, Pawn Section. On July 24, 2001, detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s, Burglary-Auto Theft Detail and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, based on a tip, went to a local jewelry store located at 7th and Hill Streets. Based on information received, the detectives conducted a stakeout of the location. Shortly thereafter, the suspects arrived at the location. One of the LAPD detectives identified himself as a police officer. As the detectives attempted to take the suspect into custody, the suspect resisted the efforts of the detectives and an altercation ensued. During this altercation, one of the suspects tossed the ring behind one of the jewelry booths, as the watch fell from his pocket. Detectives subsequently recovered the exotic multi-carat ring, along with the watch.
LAPD detectives arrested Leslie Jerome Moore, 47 years old, and Donald Dwayne Lundy, 42 years old, both of Los Angeles, for Receiving Stolen Property, Burglary and Resisting Arrest. Bail was set at $600,000.00 and $675,000.00 respectively. A preliminary hearing is set for August 7, 2001, in Division 44.
The investigation into the robbery is continuing. Anyone with information on these suspects, with information on the robbery, or with information on the location of the remaining jewelry is urged to contact the Los Angeles Police Department, Burglary-Auto Theft Division, Pawn Detail at 213-485-2524.
This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Guillermo Campos, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.