Aug 16, 2008 6:12 am US/Central
Alleged Jewelry Store Robber Dies Of Gunshots
2 Robbers Were In Shootout With Owner Of Marquette Park Jewelry Store
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Police probe the scene of a shootout at Sergio V. Jewelry near 63rd Street and Kedzie Avenue. Four people, including the alleged robbers, were injured.
CBS
One of two men shot Wednesday evening while attempting to rob a Southwest Side jewelry store died Friday morning from his injuries. Both men have been charged with attempted armed robbery and attempted murder. Three others were wounded in the incident.
Marvin Groves, 40, of 1751 E. 67th St., was pronounced dead at Stroger, Hospital of Cook County at 7:52 a.m. Friday, according to a Cook County Medical Examiner's office spokesman, who said Groves died from multiple gunshot wounds.
Groves and Carl Thomas, 26, of the 7800 block of South Yates were both charged early Friday with attempted armed robbery and attempted murder, according to police News Affairs.
The incident, described by police as a "shootout," occurred at Sergio V. Jewelry, at 3143 W. 63rd St., about 6 p.m. Wednesday, authorities said.
The store's owner, Sergio Vazquez, explained to CBS 2 that the men buzzed into the store, and after entering, jumped over separate counters and pulled out guns.
Vazquez says he went for the money but before he could get it he says he heard a shot. So instead of grabbing the money, he says he grabbed his gun, which was hidden next to the cash.
"By the time I hear the shot, I take the gun and we start shooting," Vazquez said, adding that it was a shootout at close range.
When the smoke cleared, both robbers had been shot. One stumbled out of the store and collapsed in the street. The other fell to the floor of the store. A store employee was caught in the crossfire.
A passing motorist was also hit by a stray bullet.
One of them, a man in his 30s, was hospitalized in stable condition with a gunshot wound to the leg, and the other, a man in his 40s, was in stable condition with a gunshot wound to the face area, police News Affairs Officer Taylor said.
Sergio Vazquez says instinct took over after he heard the first shot. He's says he's fortunate to be alive.
Police recovered three guns on the scene.
The STNG Wire contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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