Jewelry For Bridesmaids

An alert witness helped police track down a man suspected of stealing two rings from a downtown Modesto jewelry store Monday afternoon and trading the merchandise for black tar heroin, police said Tuesday.

Officers arrested Jose Caylao, 47, of Modesto, on suspicion of burglary, grand theft and possession of narcotics, said Modesto police spokesman Sgt. Rick Armendariz. No weapon was seen, and no injuries were reported.

The theft occurred about 2:40 p.m. at Cavanna's Jewelry at 1014 J St. Police said a man entered the store and asked to look at two rings, which had a total value of about $7,000. While examining the rings, he grabbed them and ran out of the business, but a customer followed him. The customer saw him get into a pickup and gave the license plate number to police.

The vehicle's registered owner lives at a home in the 200 block of North Santa Cruz Avenue in Modesto's La Loma neighborhood.

Officers immediately began surveillance outside the home. Shortly before 4 p.m., Caylao arrived at the home in the pickup.

Armendariz said about $200 worth of heroin was found, but the stolen jewelry wasn't recovered.

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