Crime & Safety

Updated: Arrest Made in Connection with Fatal Jewelry Store Heist

Arlington police have arrested a 52-year-old Washington man and are holding him on a probation violation charge.

Arlington County police have arrested 52-year-old James Sylvester Caroline, of Washington, D.C., in connection with last week's armed robbery that left a beloved Columbia Pike jewelry store owner dead.

Caroline has been charged with probation violation, according to a police news release. He is currently being held without bond in the Arlington County Detention Facility in the Courthouse neighborhood.

Authorities have not yet brought additional charges against the man but say in the news release that more are "expected … for his role" in the recent homicide.

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"Additional charges are expected to be brought forward on Caroline in relation to the July 27, 2012 jewelry store homicide that resulted in the death of 52 year-old Tommy Wong," the release states.

Those charges could come as soon as Friday, police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck said.

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Police arrested Caroline on Wednesday without incident. Investigators are still keeping many details to themselves.

Sternbeck said the arrest was the result of "great police work."

"I'm being honest. Literally, around-the-clock police work," he said.

Caroline also is the suspect in a June 9 armed robbery in northwest Washington, Sternbeck confirmed to Patch. Local investigators to determine if the two events were related. In both incidents, the robber wore a yellow reflective vest.

Sternbeck would not say how Caroline allegedly violated his probation. He did not say why the man was on probation and would not release Caroline's criminal history.

"This is still very preliminary," Sternbeck said. "We wanted to make sure the public knew we had this individual in custody."

Sternbeck said he was not sure if Caroline acted alone, though he did say police aren't actively looking for anyone else in connection with Wong's death.

In its release, the Arlington County Police Department thanked the FBI and the Metropolitan Police Department for their help capturing Caroline, and to the community for providing support and tips.

A was held Wednesday night for Wong in front of his business, Capital Jewelers, on Columbia Pike.


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