2 wanted in attempted armed robbery at Fresno jewelry store

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Fresno Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying and locating two suspects wanted in an attempted armed robbery at a jewelry store.

The incident, which was caught on a security camera, happened just before 4 p.m. Friday at Joyeria Marlenes on Kings Canyon Road near Clovis Avenue in Southeast Fresno.

Video from the camera shows two male suspects walking into the business and posing as customers. Police say one of the suspects pulled out a handgun, racked the slide, and pointed the weapon at an employee as he demanded money.

The second suspect is then seen pulling out his cellphone and trying to jump over a glass counter, but he ends up falling down.

"The owner of the business was in the back office with his daughter and newborn grandchild when he heard the victim, his cousin, saying they were getting robbed," police said in a news release. "The owner came out of the office armed with a shotgun, ready to protect his family."

Police say the second suspect saw the owner with the shotgun, fell to his knees, and yelled at the other suspect to shoot the victims. Both suspects ended up running out of the store. No injuries were reported.

The armed suspect is described as a Hispanic male, 17-21 years old, approximately 6'0" tall, 180 pounds, with a medium build and short brown hair.

The second suspect is described as a Hispanic male, 17-21 years old, approximately 5'6" to 5'8" tall, 150 pounds, with a skinny build, short brown hair and a thin goatee.

Anyone with information on the suspects is asked to contact Detective Brandi Phebus at (559) 621-2427 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP.