Arrest made after DC jewelry store burglarized twice in less than a month

WASHINGTON - A downtown D.C. jewelry store has been burglarized twice in less than a month.

Bensons Jewelers on F Street in Northwest D.C. was first hit on Dec. 13 at around 3:16 a.m. The business was struck again this past Sunday at around 4:27 a.m.

The owner of the jewelry store, Ken Stein, said he believes the first person who busted through his store's door with a brick is the same person who came back a month later with an accomplice.

Surveillance video from the December burglary showed the suspect immediately taking watches from a cabinet. He attempts to go after other items inside the display cases by attempting to kick at them several times, but was unable to get in them and leaves in a waiting van.

In the most recent incident, the front door of the door is busted again. This time, the thief is prepared with a hammer and smashes several display cases. The owner said the suspects were able to get away with about $23,000 worth of merchandise.

Stein said he is going to make some changes after the latest burglary.

"We'll try to get a gate, going to protect the windows better with some special film on it so they can't bust through it with a brick," said Stein. "Takes a lot of effort but I'm going to put a special film on the glass."

Police said they have made an arrest in this case. However, police are still searching for the second suspect.

David Eugene Ashton Sr., of Southeast D.C., was charged with two counts of burglary -- one for the Dec. 13th jewelry store incident and a clothing store burglary in the 1000 block of H Street, Northwest on Dec. 5 where a stolen church van was used in the crime.

The H Street burglary is believed to be connected with a string of brazen burglaries around the District.

Anyone with information is asked to contact D.C. police at 202-727-9099.