Jax Beach police say 2 women held up jewelry store

Some stolen jewelry, gun found after women were in custody

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – Two women were taken into custody shortly after they robbed a Jacksonville Beach jewelry store Thursday afternoon, according to police.

Taylor Stokes,19, and Samone Yoder, 23, are both charged with armed robbery, false imprisonment and burglary. They are being held without bond.

Jax Beach police said one of the women pulled a handgun during the robbery of Miriam's Jewelry on Third Street South near Osceola Avenue, which occurred just before 1 p.m. The women left on foot with an unknown amount of jewelry items.

The victims were able to give police a good description of the robbers, and officers riding in the area saw the two women and took them into custody.

Officers said they were working to recover jewelry items that the women discarded before they were apprehended.

People in the neighborhood said they saw the women going between and behind homes, and officers who searched those yards and were able to recover some of the stolen jewelry and the gun.

"Just from the standpoint of a weapon being unsecured, that's a huge safety risk," Sgt. Thomas Crumley said. "So we are very happy we recovered it."

The store remained closed through the afternoon as police gathered evidence and conducted interviews. Neighboring business owners said they never expected an armed robbery in the area and they were exploring ways they could help each other stay safe.


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