Photo by John Soltes

By Alexis Tarrazi / Senior Reporter

RUTHERFORD (Feb. 5, 2010, 4:45 p.m.) — Rutherford police officials reported today, Feb. 5, that an 18-year-old Secaucus resident stole a diamond ring worth $12,000 from Crest Jewelers at 63 Park Ave.

At approximately 2:19 p.m., the owner of Crest reported to police that a male, later identified as Nima Malek, came into the store to look at a two-carat square diamond ring with small diamonds on the edges. Malek reportedly grabbed the ring and ran out of the store into a waiting silver Honda, driven by Christian A. Lopez, 19, of Secaucus, according to Rutherford Detective Lt. Patrick Feliciano.

Lopez and Malek allegedly fled onto Route 3 West and were later stopped by Clifton police who had been alerted by Rutherford Police Officer Jeff Wilkinson.

The vehicle was stopped near the Route 3-Garden State Parkway intersection. The suspects reportedly threw the ring out the window before police officials caught up with them.

The ring was later located by Rutherford Police Officer Alfred Anderson in the grass by the People’s Baptist Church off Route 3 West.

Rutherford Detective Michael Garner brought Crest’s owner to the scene to positively identify Malek. Charges are still pending, but Feliciano said both will at least be charged with theft and conspiracy to commit theft.

“We are still knee-deep in this investigation,” Feliciano said. “There was no weapon. This was more of a grab-and-run operation.