HOUSTON Investigators broke up a major crime ring where four suspects would commit smash-and-grab robberies at several jewelry stores in Texas, including Ben Bridge Jewelry stores, then pawned the goods at a family-owned jewelry business in southeast Houston.
Investigators said Nicholas Bernard Payne, 33; Desmond Demonte O Quinn, 18; Philemon Lee Denton, 40 and a fourth suspect, known only as Roy, would rush into the high-end jewelry stores wearing dark clothing and hoodies then use sledgehammers to smash the display cases and rip-off the merchandise.
Police believe the four men are connected to at least 25-percent of 42 smash and grab robberies that occurred since Christmas and estimate that the stolen goods add up to 2.5 million dollars
The robberies include 21 Easy Pawns, 17 Cash Americans, four Ben Bridge stores and others.
The four men would then turn over the stolen goods to Mosquedas Jewelry at 8205 Broadway in exchange for cash.
The jewelry store was owned by three brothers Hugo Mosqueda, 33; Esequiel Mosqueda, 37 Julio Cruz Mosqueda, 39.
After a lengthy investigation, HPD Major Offenders, Robbery and Narcotics Divisions and the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) agents busted up the operation and made their arrests.
The four robbery suspects were charged with engaging in organized criminal activity in the 183rd State District Court, but none have been apprehended.
The Mosquedas were also charged with engaging in organized criminal activity. They were arrested, have posted bonds and are awaiting court appearances. Investigators said a large amount of assorted jewelry items stolen in Austin were recovered from their store.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Payne, O Quinn and Denton, or knows the true the identity of Roy is urged to contact the HPD Major Offenders Division at 713-308-3100 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
HPD Youtube video shows the suspects committing a robbery at an Austin pawn shop, then being paid for the stolen jewelry by the Mosquedas. In the video, Roy is wearing a large white hat and counting money. At the end of the video, he is the person in the vehicle wearing a black shirt.
