Arrest made in violent caught-on-camera jewelry store robbery in Clifton

CLIFTON (WABC) -- It was not a routine robbery as the suspect and the owner were scuffling on top of silver and gold.

Fists were flying in a knock-down, drag-out fight inside a Clifton, New Jersey jewelry store.

The robber made no attempt at being sneaky. He reached over the jewelry display, and hopped on top of it to get what he wanted, as the store owner had his back turned.

Then the confrontation happened; a vicious tug of war and violent fist fight, with each man taking turns at throwing punches.

"He put up a good fight. He stayed on his side. He did what he had to," said Freddy Mann, a resident.

"I guess he did by instinct. Thank God nobody was hurt especially the owner," said Cleo Santiago, a resident.

Residents are shocked by video from the Tuesday afternoon robbery at Tony's Jewelers in Clifton.

Police quickly caught up with the suspect, 39-year-old Edgardo Cuevas is charged with robbery, aggravated assault, and criminal mischief.

"It was a violent act and it gives the department pleasure to get this individual off the streets," said Det. Sgt. Robert Bracken, of the Clifton Police Department.

The suspect made off with several thousand dollars' worth of necklaces.

The owner was treated at the hospital for facial injuries, but we're told nothing serious.

"This is a decent town with decent people. It's crazy seeing something like that. I live up the block," said Rishon Levi, a resident.

Cuevas was found on a Jitney bus in Clifton around 9 p.m. Thursday. He is charged with robbery, aggravated assault and criminal mischief.