SYCAMORE TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- They might have gotten away with it too, it not for a faulty elevator.
A man and woman are accused of breaking into Diamond’s Rock jewelry store in the 7800 block of Kenwood Road in Sycamore Township just before 10:30 p.m. Thursday and attempting to steal 26 diamond rings worth a combined $86,000.
One problem: When they tried to escape, they got trapped in the store's elevator.
Deputies said they found the store's glass door broken out and blood smeared on the floor when they arrived. While searching the premises, they said they heard noises coming from a nearby elevator next to the business.
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Michael Robison said the deputies found Leroy Bridgman, 57, and Marcie Young, 61, trapped inside. The Sycamore Township Fire Department was called to open the elvator and deputies arrested Bridgman and Young.
“Sometimes karma makes sure things work out how they should," Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Neil said.
Authorities said an initial investigation showed the two had broken in to the business, removed jewelry and then attempted to flee down a stairway to the basement parking lot where their rental car was parked.
The stairs only go to the first floor, Robison said, so the two then attempted to use the elevator and becoming trapped.
Jewelry and criminal tools -- including large screw drivers and a ski mask -- were recovered where the suspects had stashed them in the ceiling of the elevator, Robinson said. Young was also in possession of heroin at the time, he said.
Both Bridgman and Young have been charged with breaking and entering and possessing criminal tools. Young faces additional charges of drug possession and drug paraphernalia.
This incident remains under investigation by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Section. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact investigators at 513-851-6000.
