PHOENIX — The two suspects in a strong-arm robbery in Anthem that led to someone getting shot were arrested in California.
The incident happened around 6 p.m. on Tuesday at the Andrew Z Diamonds & Fine Jewelry in a shopping center across the street from Anthem Community Park.
A man was shot during the incident. Authorities say he is in critical condition but stable as of Wednesday afternoon. He has not been identified.
The two suspects, 18-year-old Helen Simmons and 22-year-old Mathew Jones, were arrested overnight on Saturday in Huntington Beach after a short pursuit with local police.
Jones was released from an Arizona prison on June 17, a few weeks before the robbery in Anthem. Jones had previously pleaded guilty to unlawful imprisonment in Maricopa County Superior Court, records show.
Both face felony charges. Jones is being held on a $1 million bond while Simmons has a $500,000 bond.
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Business owners and those in this community are shocked by the violent crime.
Locals like Lindsey Workman and John Madsen were just as surprised as Legends Bar Manager Shelley Brock, who works just feet from where the shooting happened.
"I have the Citizen app, and it popped up on my watch, someone got shot .03 miles from my exact location, and I was like what?" Workman said.
"I head back from the East Coast and come out to beautiful Anthem; it's like Mayberry where Andy Griffith lived, and then shoot them up; what's going on?" Madsen added.
The bar went on lockdown just as customers heard the shots just a few doors down.
"It was super creepy, scary but you know you just have to stay calm and figure it out. We did have guests on the patio and they're the ones who called 911 and had heard it and went over there," Brock said.
The tight-knit community shared various details about the alleged suspect or suspects responsible. They described them rolling up to the business on motorcycles wearing all black with helmets on before heading into the store.
"To me, it's got to be somebody that knows the inside, nobody walks in with a pistol and just robs, right?" Madsen wondered.
Family and friends tell 12 News that the victim who was shot has undergone hours of surgery, and they're hopeful for his full recovery.
"My family will be praying for him and hope he makes an amazing recovery," Workman said.
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Silent Witness:
Arizona's Silent Witness program allows people to send in tips and share information about crimes happening within their local communities.
The program shares unsolved felony case information in multiple ways, including TV, radio and social media.
Anyone who has information on a crime or recognizes a suspect described by the program is asked to call 480-948-6377, go to the program's website online or download the Silent Witness app to provide a tip. The identity of anyone who submits a tip is kept anonymous.
Calls to Silent Witness are answered 24/7 by a live person and submitted tips are accepted at all times. Submitted tips are then sent to the detective(s) in charge of the specific case.
Individuals who submit tips that lead to an arrest or indictment in the case can get a reward of up to $1,000.