Two brothers arrested in Round Lake jewelry store robbery

Two brothers have been arrested in connection with the Feb. 4 robbery of a Round Lake jewelry store in which a store clerk was stabbed in the neck, police said Wednesday.

Modesto V. Rico, 24, of 5000 block of West Fullerton Avenue in Chicago, and his brother, Jose L. Rico, 37, of 1200 block of Coventry Glen Apartments in Round Lake, are charged with aggravated kidnapping and armed robbery, Round Lake Police Chief Francis Foy said.

The unidentified female clerk was taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and was treated and released, Foy said.

"Such vicious, violent crimes will not be tolerated in Round Lake," he said. "I am proud of the Round Lake police officers for their dedication to duty and the cooperation of Round Lake businesses that assisted in the investigation."

Foy said the robbery occurred at the Eldorado Jewelry and Western Wear store at 200 North Cedar Lake Road in downtown Round Lake. Modesto Rico entered the store to speak with the sales clerk, while Jose stood outside, Fox said.

While posing as a customer, Modesto Rico called the sales clerk into a changing room area, displayed a handgun, and forced her into a bathroom and restrained her, Foy said. Modesto stabbed the clerk in the neck before leaving her in the bathroom, Foy said.

Modesto Rico spent about one hour pilfering the store of nearly $100,000 in jewelry and $3,400 in cash, Foy said.

The brothers have been charged with the Class X felonies, which could land them behind bars for up to 30 years, Foy said.

Both are in Lake County jail. Modesto is held in lieu of $1 million bond, while Jose is held with an $800,000 bond, Foy said.

Anyone with information concerning this case is asked to call Round Lake police at (847) 546-8112.