Pocono News Section

Two Men Charged In Brazen Jewelry Store Heist

Two Men Charged In Brazen Jewelry Store Heist - Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 9:17PM EST

Reported by: Joe Holden
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 @ 09:17pm EST

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- Two men who say they're from New York were charged 8:30 Wednesday night in the armed robbery of Hazle Street jewelry store.

Police say 31-year-old Jerry Smith and 19-year-old Jason Soto tied up and held guns to workers of Dunay Jewelry Store in the 400 block of Hazle Street. The heist happened at 11 in the morning. Arrest papers show the men made off with cash from a safe and jewelry from store cases. Police say there was a total of five robbers. One other is under arrest. Police are looking for the remaining two.

Court documents show Soto was picked up on the street while Smith was located in a car. Officers and state troopers stormed the Wilkes-Barre neighborhood around lunchtime looking for the robbers.

Police say Smith had Big big Chicle de Bola chewing gum on him. They say it's the same gum offered to jewelry store customers.

The judge set bail for each of the defendants at $100,000 cash.

Both Smith and Soto are in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility. Their next court appearance is scheduled for May 23.