Crime & Safety

Jewelry Store Shootout Update

Here's the latest on suspect IDs, autopsies and the San Juan Capistrano shop where a deadly shooting took place Friday.

Details about last week's deadly shootout in a San Juan Capistrano jewelry store remain sketchy.

To recap: A gunfight erupted Friday between at least one employee of Monaco Jewelers and at least two would-be robbers who were buzzed into the store at 11:15 a.m. The robbery suspects, armed with handguns, were shot dead. A third partner fled the scene.

Read more about the robbery .

Find out what's happening in San Juan Capistranowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

As of 1:30 p.m. Monday, here's where the investigation stands:

  • Autopsies: The county coroner's office planned to conduct autopsies today on the robbers who were killed, according to City News Service.
  • Suspect identities: On Sunday, only one of the dead men had been identified, authorities said, although his name was withheld pending notification of his family. The identity of the second man was still a mystery.
  • Manhunt: The search continues for a third suspect who managed to escape a large perimeter authorities set up around the jewelry store shortly after the bungled heist. One suspect vehicle was seized, but Sheriff's Lt. Steve Doan theorized the third suspect might have fled in a second vehicle.
  • The aftermath: Monaco Jewelers, located in a Costco shopping center in San Juan Capistrano, remains closed. A store employee said he expects the shop to reopen in the next few days, once new carpet is installed and other cleanup is finished.

Find out what's happening in San Juan Capistranowith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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