Two attempted robbery suspects were booked into jail early Sunday, but three suspects remained at large after an attempted hold-up at a mall jewelry store in Mission Valley.
The robbery caused a massive traffic jam in Mission Valley Saturday, when Interstate 8 and State Route 163 were both closed while officers searched for the suspects.
Reginald Anthony Howard, 28, of Los Angeles and Joey James Levy, 37, were taken into custody Saturday night shortly after the attempted robbery of the Royal Maui Jewelers at the Fashion Valley mall on Friars Road, San Diego Police Officer Robert Heims said.
Witnesses described five black male suspects wearing masks entering the store at about 8 p.m. with at least three of them armed with handguns. The store's armed security guard fired off a shot after one if the suspects
attempted to rush him.
No one was hit by gunfire, Heims said.
The five suspects ran off through the mall after the gunfire, but two of them were captured by officers and one gun was recovered nearby.
The men arrived in two cars, according to Sgt. Tom Sullivan. But it was not clear if they used the same cars to get away.
Howard and Levy were being held on $100,000 bail and were expected to be arraigned in San Diego Superior Court on Wednesday. Howard was booked on suspicion of attempted robbery. Levy was booked on suspicion of attempted robbery, harming a police dog and obstructing an officer.
The three men who were still at large were wearing dark blue or black clothing with their hoods up, according to Heims.
