"Person Of Interest" In Jewel Heist Had Bulletproof Vest, Jewels

Investigators questioning a man thought to be involved in a deadly Upper East Side jewelry store robbery recovered a bulletproof vest and a safe containing stolen jewelry in the Washington Heights resident's apartment. Police have not charged the "person of interest," but according to the Post they've "spent nearly 24 hours quizzing him at the 19th Precinct station house about the $1.2 million heist" that resulted in the death of 71-year-old employee Henry Menahem.

Police recovered nine of the 66 items stolen in the robbery of R.S. Durant Jewelers on Madison Avenue in an undisclosed Brooklyn location. The tabloid reports that the initial recovery led them to the Washington Heights apartment, where they have found money, the bulletproof vest, and a necklace said to be stolen from the shop. Investigators also recovered clothing from the man's residence that they intend to test for blood and DNA evidence that might connect the "person of interest" to the crime.

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By Ben Muessig in News on February 12, 2010 9:31 AM

Comments [rss]

buffmancandy

bulletproof jewels! I gots to get me some of those

Dejola

The police have a good reason for saying this guy is a "person of interest" rather than a suspect. Once a person is deemed a suspect the police are obligated to read him his rights and tell him he has the right to an attorney. Once he asks for an attorney the police must stop the questioning. This does not apply to "persons of interest."

But it is not the police who decide when someone they're questioning is a suspect rather than a person of interest.

A person of interest becomes a suspect (and entitled to all his rights) when the investigation has focused on him and he has been deprived of his freedom of movement in a significant way.

Even though I am pro police I am also pro civil rights. Anyone who is read his rights has encountered a critical stage in the investigation. When you are told you have a right to speak with an attorney you should immediately exercise that right and shut your mouth. Period! Relatively few people are convicted without a confession, admission, or other statements uttered from their own mouths. Evidence independently secured through skillful investigation and or forensics is hard to gather, especially in minor cases.

JenChungsBaby

Damned straight. There is zero benefit in talking to the police before you talk to a lawyer, even if you're innocent.

grandzu

A guy who's got lots of jewelry is less likely to rob the store than a guy whose jewelry supplies are low.

pinball29

How could this person not be charged if he had the jewels in his apt? This goes way beyond 'person of interest'. NYPD has charged and locked up people w/ WAY less evidence who have ultimately been found not guilty. Somethings wrong here.

hotstepper

settle down beavis. it's not what you know, its what you can prove.

(apologies to butthead and denzel w.)

Dejola

What likely broke the case is that the swag was "too hot to handle" and the guy this perp sold the stuff to wisely contacted the PD and coughed up the perp. A lucky break but good police work, too.