Botched Jewelry Store Heist in Arlington Leads to Two Arrests: Police

ARLINGTON, VA — Two men have been arrested after a failed robbery of a jewelry store in the Lyon Park neighborhood of Arlington Wednesday evening, police say.

Police say 37-year-old Jorgito Cruz of Alexandria and 21-year-old Serpa Ruiz of Puerto Rico burst into a jewelry store in the 2700 block of Washington Boulevard at 5:44 p.m. on Dec. 7 wearing masks and brandishing firearms, and then tried to restraint one of the employees, according to a report from the Arlington County Police Department.

"A struggle ensued between the employee and the suspects, causing the suspects to flee the area by vehicle," the report states.

A witness driving on Interstate 395 later noticed a suspicious vehicle and called police. Police used that information along with evidence at the scene and witness interviews to develop suspect descriptions.

Officers from the Arlington County Police Department’s Tactical Unit and the Fairfax County Police Department later took the two men into custody in the Alexandria portion of Fairfax County, the report states.

Cruz and Ruiz face charges of attempted armed robbery, abduction, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and use or display of a firearm during the commission of a robbery. They are being held without bond at the Arlington County Detention Facility.

Police ask anyone with information related to the investigation to call Detective G. Seibert at 703-228-4199. You can also provide information anonymously by calling 1-866-411-TIPS.

Image via ACPD