CrimeMar 21, 2024
Sparks Fly as Burglars Lose Safe on California Freeway CrimeApr 02, 2024
2 Suspects Arrested After Attempted Robbery, Kidnapping
The men, along with a third suspect who remains at large, allegedly tried to rob a jewelry store in Guntersville, Alabama.
Authorities in Alabama arrested two men in connection with the attempted armed robbery of Griffins Jewelers of Guntersville. (Image courtesy of the Guntersville Police Department’s Facebook page)
Guntersville, Ala.—Authorities arrested two men in connection with the attempted armed robbery of a jewelry store in Alabama following an hours-long standoff.
The men are also suspected of kidnapping two women prior to the robbery.
The Guntersville Police Department responded to an armed robbery call at Griffins Jewelers of Guntersville at 10:23 a.m. on March 28, according to a statement from the department.
Three individuals had entered the store while armed and attempted to rob the location, but the manager fired a weapon at the robbers, causing them to flee.
Witnesses told police the suspects left in a white van headed southbound on U.S. Highway 431.
Shortly after the attempted robbery, the police department received a seemingly unrelated call about two missing women being at a nearby Lowe’s.
When officers arrived, they saw the vehicle involved in the jewelry store robbery in the Lowe’s parking lot.
They found the two missing women from nearby Brighton, Alabama, inside.
Related stories will be right here …
The men are also suspected of kidnapping two women prior to the robbery.
The Guntersville Police Department responded to an armed robbery call at Griffins Jewelers of Guntersville at 10:23 a.m. on March 28, according to a statement from the department.
Three individuals had entered the store while armed and attempted to rob the location, but the manager fired a weapon at the robbers, causing them to flee.
Witnesses told police the suspects left in a white van headed southbound on U.S. Highway 431.
Shortly after the attempted robbery, the police department received a seemingly unrelated call about two missing women being at a nearby Lowe’s.
When officers arrived, they saw the vehicle involved in the jewelry store robbery in the Lowe’s parking lot.
They found the two missing women from nearby Brighton, Alabama, inside.
Brighton police said the women, Alma Nestor and Rosaneli Castro, were parked by the Bessemer Super Highway, where they sell water and food to those heading to work in the early morning hours, according to a local news report.
Around 5:30 a.m., two men approached the van, forced the women inside, and drove off with them. The abduction and carjacking were caught on surveillance videos.
The women did not know their abductors, said police. They got in contact with their family members, who alerted the police.
The women and their van had been left in the parking lot after the attempted robbery, and they were unharmed.
The suspected robbers were identified as Jonathan Banks of Guntersville and Andre Burgin of Midfield, Alabama, according to Guntersville police.
Guntersville police could not be reached for comment about the status of the third suspect.
On March 29, police obtained warrants for the two men for the robbery of the jewelry store.
The Guntersville police contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Birmingham Division to ask for help, believing the men to be in the Birmingham area.
The suspects were found after barricading themselves inside the attic of a local residence, said police.
It took several hours for tactical teams to remove the men, turning them over to Guntersville police.
The men were booked into Marshall County Jail on felony warrants.
Guntersville police noted that a number of law enforcement agencies were involved in the investigation and apprehension of the two suspects.
The investigation is ongoing.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Crime
The Latest
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 YearsThe independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in FloridaThe debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor ShortageThe roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.
Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry CollectionThe “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in DiamondsDiamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With AcquisitionThe Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH WatchesThe longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in EnglishLotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ RingThe ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ OutlookThe Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand AmbassadorThe Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent JewelerThe family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco WatchesThe “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.
MajorsMar 26, 2025
QVC Group Appoints New PresidentAlex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2025
Jewelers of America Announces New Funding Initiative The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.
AuctionsMar 25, 2025
Christie’s To Auction 35-Carat Sapphire, 13-Carat RubyThe ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.
ColumnistsMar 25, 2025
The Smart Lab: Using Short-Form Videos to Sell More JewelryThe time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.
CollectionsMar 24, 2025
Pomellato’s Latest ‘Nudo’ Collections Revamp its Classic DesignFrom striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.
MajorsMar 24, 2025
4 Top Executives to Depart Signet Jewelers Amid TurnaroundThe jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.
WatchesMar 24, 2025
Sotheby's Now Offers Watch Repair ServicesThe auction house's partnership with online watch servicing platform WatchCheck makes repairs convenient and accessible, it said.
FinancialsMar 21, 2025
Swarovski Says Its Lab-Grown Diamond Sales Doubled in 2024The company also noted record sales in the United States and a strong performance in its jewelry category.
