A male suspect was arrested Jan. 23 in Spain in connection with the murder of a Westport, Conn., jeweler on Dec. 8.

Andrew Robert Levene, also known as Robert Thomas, 41, was arrested by Spanish National Police and faces charges of federal murder, robbery, and firearm charges.

“I want to commend the Westport Police, Connecticut State Police, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania, New York, and Spain for their expert, coordinated investigation that has led to the apprehension of this defendant,” said U.S. Attorney David B. Fein in a statement.

According to court documents, Levene arranged to meet the owner of YZ Manufacturers on Dec. 8 to purchase diamonds he had been shown the night before. Instead, he shot and killed the jeweler, Yekutiel Zeevi, wounded his associate, and stole six diamonds worth approximately $300,000.

An affadavit says that authorities zeroed in on Levene by tracing cell phone calls made to the jeweler’s business, as well as visual identification.

The criminal complaint charges him with one count of interference with commerce through robbery, one count of federal murder, one count of attempted murder, and one count of causing death through the use of a firearm.

“We are proud of the efforts of law enforcement officials on the local, state, federal, and international level who all contributed to the investigation and apprehension of this suspect,” said Westport Police Chief Dale E. Call in a statement. “We hope that it brings some peace of mind to the victims’ families.”

For more coverage on this case, check out:

• Connecticut Jeweler Shot and Killed in Targeted Robbery
• Connecticut Retailers on Alert After Westport Jeweler Killed

JCK