Fresno Police believe three men are responsible for a series of robberies and burglaries. And one man, the mastermind, is a purple-heart recipient who was just discharged from the army.
A unique partnership between gang-members makes for a dangerous team. It's a team that Chief Jerry Dyer is proud to say he broke up.
"These individuals were at the front end of a robbery spree in our community," said Dyer.
Three men have been arrested. All through house searches. They are Reymundo Segura, Corey Gray and the man Dyer calls callous and the mastermind, Justin McLean. He's a purple heart recipient who was just discharged from the army. Their latest hit is likely Don Roberto's Jewelers in southeast Fresno. Surveillance video shows Gray and McLean running in. One smashes the display cases with a hammer. Later another takes powerful blows with the butt of a gun. Gray and McLean took diamond rings and bracelets. They would sell it later.
"The value of the jewelry was $138,000 and he got $800 for it," said one detective.
Police are unsure if Segura was part of this hit. When police arrested him he had some stolen items on him. What linked police to Gray and McLean were palm prints and blood likely from smashing the glass. Police took several handguns, an assault rifle and a military-issue ballistics vest with shock plates. Chief Dyer believes these three might be connected to two or three other robberies and burglaries. One at Karkazian Jewelers. But what's most chilling is what the veteran asked for once arrested. It's what prompted Chief Dyer to call him 'callous.'
"He asked if he could see the video so he could time himself and see how fast he could do that robbery," said Dyer.
Segura was released because of overcrowding. McLean posted bail and Gray is still in jail.
TXT 24
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