Police Arrest 2 Suspects in Downtown Jewelry Store Heist

Two of three suspected robbers were arrested by Manhattan Beach police Wednesday shortly after they allegedly entered The 23rd Street Jewelers store downtown, pepper sprayed an employee, jumped the counters, stole jewelry and then fled, driving off in a maroon Chevrolet around 11:15 a.m., according to Stephanie Martin, the police department's public information officer.

Police are asking for the public's help in locating the third suspect, described only as a black male dressed in all black clothing. The police want anyone who might have seen anything possibly related to the crime to call them at 310-802-5127.

The jewelry store is at 1009 Manhattan Ave., next door to Riley Fine Arts and near the El Sombrero and Old Venice restaurants and Beckers Bakery and Deli.

"Sometimes people see something [and think] 'Gosh, that looks suspicious' or 'That looks unusual' or 'That looks odd,' but they don't want to call us because they don't want to bug us or they're embarrassed," Martin said. "There's gotta be some people who felt like that, or saw something, who could fill in the blanks and maybe help us get a better description [of the third suspect]."

Two employees were in the jewelry store when the robbery occurred, one of whom called 911 after the robbers fled.

With information from the 911 call, witness statements and other evidence, officers spotted the four-door Chevrolet with paper license plates being driven near the Civic Center at 1400 Highland Ave., Martin said. The officers followed the vehicle and then pulled it over in the 1900 block of Valley Drive, near Live Oak Park,  she said.

Only two men were in the car, and they were taken into custody without incident, Martin said.

Police identified the suspects as Martin Lincoln, 23, of Los Angeles, and Jermane Love, 21, of Quartz Hill. They were booked into the city jail around 5 p.m., Martin said.

The employee who was pepper-sprayed was treated at the location by Manhattan Beach Fire Department paramedics and was not taken to a hospital, Martin said.