Photo: Firearm evidence collected during arrest | Folsom PD
Last Thursday, June 1, 2023, the tranquility of Folsom was shattered when a daring robbery took place at Kay Jewelers, leading to a chain of events that ultimately led to the arrest of the suspect. Folsom Police officers swiftly responded to the scene, gathering crucial information that would set in motion a multi-agency effort to bring the perpetrator to justice.
During the brazen robbery, a suspect sporting a distinctive cap seized valuable jewelry from a display case while viciously assaulting a store employee. In a remarkable display of bravery, a customer intervened, coming to the aid of the assaulted employee. As the suspect made a hasty retreat from the store, menacingly threatening the employee’s life, they made their escape in a blue Honda Accord. However, fortune would soon turn against the perpetrator.
Thanks to the astute observation of a second witness at the scene, Folsom Police Detectives were swiftly armed with a license plate number for the suspect’s getaway vehicle. Tracking the Honda Accord to Stockton, the Folsom authorities sought the cooperation of their counterparts in the Stockton Police Department, setting into motion a joint operation.
In a valiant attempt to evade capture, the suspect driver of the Honda Accord recklessly violated several vehicle codes, prompting Stockton Police officers to initiate a stop. However, the suspect had no intention of surrendering peacefully, initiating a brief but intense vehicle pursuit. Opting to abandon the vehicle, the suspect continued their flight on foot, leaving behind a dropped firearm as they fled the pursuing officer.
Taking refuge in an apartment situated on the 1500 Block of Arriba Avenue, the suspect barricaded themselves, initiating a tense standoff that lasted for two and a half hours. The situation required the expertise and coordination of law enforcement personnel from various agencies, culminating in the safe apprehension of the suspect.
During the subsequent search of the suspect’s vehicle and the apartment, authorities uncovered compelling evidence linking the apprehended individual, identified as 31-year-old Odell Jones from Stockton, to the robbery at Kay Jewelers. Among the discovered items were clothing that matched the attire worn by the suspect during the heist, including the distinctive cap that had aided in their identification.
Following his arrest, Jones was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail, where he faces charges related to the vehicle pursuit. Authorities anticipate his extradition to Sacramento County, where he will face charges in connection with the robbery at Kay Jewelers. The successful resolution of this case serves as a testament to the collaborative efforts between the Folsom and Stockton Police Departments.
