Indiana man second to be charged in Arlington Heights jewelry heist

An Indiana man is the second one to be charged in connection with the armed robbery of a jewelry store last year in downtown Arlington Heights, where police say masked thieves broke in, smashed showcases and took off with several expensive pieces of jewelry.

As of Monday, Michael Nichols, 40, of the 800 block of East 36th Place, in Griffith, continued to be held in Cook County Jail on a charge of felony armed robbery. He was arrested Feb. 5, according to an Arlington Heights Police Department news release.

Nichols is the second to be charged in the case.

Also facing felony armed robbery charges is Cornell Martinez, of the 3500 block of South Rhodes Avenue, in Chicago, who was 27 years old at the time of his Nov. 2 arrest. Martinez also continues to be held in Cook County Jail on the charges, according to the Cook County Sheriff ’s website.

The arrests come after an early afternoon smash-andgrab robbery Jan. 25, 2023, at Persin and Robbin Jewelers, 24 S. Dunton Ave. in Arlington Heights, where police say multiple offenders wore masks and used hammers to steal jewelry.

The charge for both men is a Class X felony, authorities state in the release.

The news release states that on Jan. 25 police responded to a call of an armed robbery in the downtown business district. Wearing masks and armed with hammers, police said the thieves smashed jewelry counters at the store and several high-end pieces of jewelry were reported stolen.

Nichols appeared in court Feb. 8 for a detention hearing at the courthouse in Rolling Meadows. He is scheduled to appear in court again March 1.

According to the release, the investigation into this alleged incident continues and additional would-be thieves may also be sought.