Jewelry store owner, customer chase down robbery suspect

CASA GRANDE, AZ - Justin Sommers has owned Sommers Jewelers in Casa Grande for 25 years. He depends on his loyal customers to keep him in business, but on Monday he relied on them even more.

A man pretending to be interested in buying three rings unexpectedly ran out of the store with the jewelry. Sommers hopped over the display counter and chased after the suspect.

About six customers inside the store also sprung into action.

“A lot of the customers in here had dialed 911, they hopped into their cars and they're trying to follow me and follow him,” said Sommers.

Two men that work nearby happened to see Sommers chasing the suspect and also helped out. The two ended up catching the suspect.

“He saw them, they said, 'Is that him?' and I said, 'Yeah get him because I'm lagging behind' ... and those guys were on top of him,” said Sommers. “I was just so impressed at the whole community around here. All the people and everything just jumped in and gave a hand.”

Police ended up arresting suspect Christopher Lopez.

The rings, valued at about $8,500, were never found.

Sommers is now offering an undisclosed reward if anyone finds the jewelry.