Redmond jeweler relieved by quick holdup arrests

More than a week after he was confronted by two masked gunmen who smashed jewelry cases, took handmade jewelry items and fled, a downtown Redmond jeweler said Thursday he’s relieved by two arrests and thankful for their quick apprehension.

Last Tuesday’s holdup sparked a 10-hour standoff the next day at a Metolius home, after the arrest of one suspect, Nathan Danison, and the capture of the second, Merton Bean, nearly a week later, after a foot and car chase in Portland.

Photos show the destruction of glass cases after the two men burst into David Haffey Fine Jewelry and took everything they could get their hands on.

“Pure adrenaline — the fear kicks in,” Haffey told NewsChannel 21. “And then you start running through your mind options.”

Haffey was watching the store when the gunmen stormed in and stole years’ worth of handmade jewelry.

“In milliseconds, you’re making decisions as to what you need to do, what you can do — and what you shouldn’t do,” he said.

Marks on the casings still remain, from where the two men smashed the glass to get to the display of jewelry.

Police arrested Danison the next day in connection to the case, saying he was leaving a home in Metolius where he and a fellow fugitive wanted in the holdup were staying. A 10-hour standoff, complete with SWAT team ensued, but Bean had gotten away. But Bean was arrested Monday in Portland, accused of trying to elude police by car and on foot, and of furnishing false information to officers.

“When they captured the first one, that was great,” Haffey said. “Knowing that there was another one still out there on the loose, always in the back of your mind.”

“When they captured the second one — I can’t begin to tell you the relief, the feeling of relief that came over me,” he added.

As police continue to piece together what’s described as a very complicated crime, Haffey said he’s proud of the hard work police from across Central Oregon have put into this case.

“To see them be able to put all the pieces together, and to bring a rather rapid result to a lot of this, is just great,” Haffey said.

Danison remains in the Deschutes County Jail, without bail, due in court Aug, 21. Bean is still being held, also without bail, at the Multnomah County Jail in Portland. There’s no word yet of when he might be brought back to Bend to face charges.