Jeweler Helps Nab Alleged Thieves

A quick-thinking jeweler helped land two suspected burglars behind bars.

William Michael Escancy, 19, of Encinitas, was arrested on suspicion of possession of stolen property, criminal conspiracy and possession of dangerous drugs. He was booked at the in French Valley, according to jail records.

The events leading to the arrest started Sunday, when a home in the 41000 block of Ashburn Road was burglarized, sheriff's Sgt. Kevin McDonald said.

"A substantial amount of coins, jewelry and other collectables were taken during the burglary," the sergeant said.

The next day, Escancy showed up at All Valley Coin and Jewelry in Old Town with two juveniles and tried to sell the stolen coins, McDonald said in a written statement.

The jeweler sensed something was wrong. “We are always suspicious when younger people come in with certain items,” Morris Minsberg, the owner of the shop, told SWRNN.

The victim of the burglary called numerous antique, jewelry and pawn shops -- including All Valley Coin and Jewelry -- with a list of what was stolen the day before.

“I had  kind of a ‘Spidey sense’ that something wasn’t right and referred to the list that was called in," Minsberg told SWRNN.

The shopkeeper quietly called the , and within a few minutes, deputies showed up and detained the three.

One of the juveniles was released after investigators ruled he had nothing to do with the crime. Another juvenile was arrested on an outstanding no-bail warrant for possession of stolen property. He was also arrested on charges stemming from the robbery on Ashburn Road. He was booked into

The investigation is ongoing. Anybody with information was asked to call the Temecula Police Department at 951-696-3000.