Suspects arrested in California after police chase

PHOENIX – An armed robbery at a jewelry store ended with a fatal victim at a North Phoenix shopping center, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said on July 12, and days later 2 suspects were arrested in California.

The incident happened near Interstate 17 and Anthem Way around 6 p.m. in the Phoenix community of Anthem. Deputies responded to the store and found a person who had been shot. The victim was rushed to hospital with serious injuries but is now in stable condition, the MCSO said.

The suspects were found and arrested July 16 at 1 a.m. by officers from the Huntington Beach Police Department after a car chase.

“It was later determined by MCSO detectives that the arrested suspects fit the same description as the suspects involved in the armed robbery at Anthem’s jewelry store…” the MCSO said in a press release.

They are Helen Simmons, 18, and Mathew Jones, 22. Jones is being held on a million dollar bond and Simmons is being held on a half million dollar bond – both on charges related to the theft.

An eyewitness who saw the suspects enter Andrew Z Diamonds and Fine Jewelry was dining on the patio of a nearby restaurant. She describes seeing two armed suspects wearing motorcycle helmets, dressed head to toe in black.

She says she heard about 5-6 gunshots, then the suspects ran to the back of the mall and fled.

According to a person who knows the owners, they say a male employee inside the store was shot multiple times and underwent surgery soon after. MCSO says the victim is in stable condition.

Anthem residents like John Madsen say violent crimes like this rarely happen in their community.

“You don’t think that would happen in Anthem. Maybe in a more seedy section, but not in this area. It’s beautiful. It shouldn’t happen here,” he said.

Surveillance video from a nearby business shows the suspects setting off on motorbikes. A nearby restaurant was closed after people heard the gunshots.

“It was just a typical night and then there were a few guests on the patio that I saw suddenly get up, and they were on their phones and I saw them running, and then some kind of commotion started. A Once we heard what happened, we locked the doors and kept everyone safe inside, made sure all the backdoors were open and everything was safe,” says the manager. of the restaurant, Shelly Prock.”I worked here about three years, so I’ve never heard of anything crazy like that.”

Madsen says maybe more security is needed going forward.

“It’s good to know that they are doing well so far. Hopefully they get through this and step up security,” he said.

The MCSO and FBI Field Office in Phoenix offered a $10,000 reward for information that led to the arrest and conviction of the two suspects.

The Anthem community comes together to support the victim

Thousands of cars lined up throughout the day at Anthem to raise money for the gunshot victim with a fundraiser for a car wash.

According to Joseph Alvarez, president of Rotary Club Anthem, the victim is recovering slowly,

“He’s got a long way to go, but he did a heroic act and probably saved lives,” Alvarez said.

The hope was that this car wash, along with the t-shirt sales, would bring in around $2,500 for the man’s family – but they far exceeded that.

“Probably close to 15 to 20 thousand dollars today for the victim’s family,” Alvarez said. “Everything was given, shirts were given.”

Volunteers say it’s this community support that shows just how strong and tight-knit Anthem is.

“I know that’s our motto, but it really shows how much our community can come together for a cause,” said resident Olivia Russell.

“I get chills, tears in my eyes, it’s so awesome to live here in Anthem,” Alvarez said. “You can count on the community to pull together.”

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