A seventh defendant is in custody in the armed smash-and-grab robbery of a Brighton jeweler.
By Michael ZeiglerA sealed indictment opened Wednesday in Monroe County Court charged Jaucquis K. Simmons with first-degree robbery in a Nov. 2 heist of $618,000 of Cartier and Rolex watches from Mann's Jewelers, 2945 Monroe Ave.
Simmons, 31, of Cleveland, allegedly fled to Jamaica after the robbery and turned up in Guyana, South America, where he contacted Brighton police and said he wanted to turn himself in, said Assistant District Attorney Sandra Doorley.
Simmons was arrested June 26 in Chicago when he re-entered the country. He is the final defendant to be charged with the holdup, Doorley said.
Simmons appeared without a lawyer before County Court Judge Patricia D. Marks, who scheduled his arraignment for Monday. Although he claimed he couldn't afford a lawyer, he said he owns property in Guyana.
Of the six other defendants, three have pleaded guilty and three are expected to plead guilty, Doorley said.
BACKGROUND
Mann's Jewelers was robbed when at least four men smashed glass display cases, snatching expensive watches, while a colleague held a gun on customers and employees. Investigators believe the watches were in the hands of a fence within seven hours of the heist. All seven men allegedly involved in the holdup have been arrested and federal authorities are looking for the fence.
