Smyrna Man Arrested in Multi-Million Dollar Jewelry Heist

Forsyth County Sheriff Ted Paxton held a press conference Wednesday  and the investigation of a jewelry store heist that happened early Sunday morning, Sept. 25., at Milano Jewelry Store in Cumming.

The owner, Ibrahim Echian, told Cumming Patch that the total amount stolen was $2.8 million in merchandise and personal items.

In the accompanying video, hear Sheriff Paxton explain how they arrested Kenardis Demaine Holloway, 32, of Smyrna and Carl Henry Bowser III, 26, of Atlanta. Both men have been charged with burglary and theft by receiving and are being held in the Forsyth County Detention Center.

Paxton also talks about how more suspects are being sought in the burglary and how all persons involved in the crime will be caught.

At about 3:25 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, authorities were called to located at 1245 Buford Highway in Cumming to find the store had been burglarized.

Investigators said the suspects made their way into the jewelry store by breaking into an adjoining vacant building and cutting out a hole.

The burglary was “planned and executed by professionals," said Lt. Col. Gene Moss, Commander of the Enforcement.

Upon hearing the news that Holloway and Bowser had been arrested, Echiban said, "it's great news." But he also said the arrests does not "ease our loss."

Some of the property taken during the burglary has been recovered by authorities.

"Through the combined efforts of the investigators, crime scene unit and the Warrant Unit, we were able to put these perpetrators behind bars quickly," added Moss.

The investigation is active and ongoing.

Meanwhile in an unrelated police matter, an administrative assistant at Thomas Concrete, located at 2500 Cumberland Parkway in Vinings, has been charged with taking $196,350 from the company.

Kennesaw’s Annette Sue Evans, 53, was arrested on Sept. 20 and accused of wiring money from company sales into her own personal accounts.

A spokesperson for the Cobb Sheriff’s Office has indicated the theft is still under investigation. Read more about the arrest here.

Editor's Note: An arrest does not indicate a conviction.