WM, Memphis PDs nab thieves

WM, Memphis PDs nab thieves

Three pawn shop robbery suspects in custody

ralphhardin@gmail.com Three men are in jail after a chase across the bridge into West Memphis, following the robbery of a Memphis pawn shop.

The robbery occurred yesterday at a Cash America in the 1100 block of Bellevue.

According to police, two of the suspects robbed Cash America Pawn Shop on Bellevue Boulevard on Thursday morning. MPD said the men were pretending to be customers, then one pulled out a long barrel gun and the other took a hammer and smashed open a jewelry case.

They forced customers and workers to the ground at gunpoint.

After robbing the pawn shop, a third man picked up the robbers and drove away.

Memphis police followed the three suspects into Arkansas.

West Memphis Police Officers joined in the effort as officers from both departments searched for them near Southland Park Gaming and Rac- ing, eventually tracking them down a short distance away.

The three suspects were taken into custody. Police took all three suspects into custody without incident.

They are being held in the Crittenden County Detention Center pending a filing for extradition to Memphis, according to West Memphis Police Department officials.

Police recovered several stolen items from the getaway vehicle and removed several items from it, including cash, a sledgehammer, a gun and jewelry.

By Ralph Hardin