Connecticut State Police, the FBI and a United States Marshal have made an arrest in the murder of a Westport jeweler on Dec. 8.
Andrew Robert Levene, also known as Robert Thomas, 41, was arrested on Monday in Spain on federal murder, robbery and firearm charges.
Levene is a former member of the U.S. Armed Forces and has training in the use of weapons, according to the affidavit and has family members in Connecticut and New York.
Levene met with Yekutiel Zeevi, the owner of YZ Manufacturers, LLC,at 431 Post Road East in Westport, pretending he was going to buy several large diamonds he had arranged to buy earlier that month, according to the affidavit, but shot and killed Zeevi, wounded Zeevi's associate, stole approximately $300,000 in diamonds, and later fled the United States to Europe.
According to court documents, Levene is accused of contacting Zeevi early in December and asking him to locate several diamonds that were between two and three karats, valued between $45,000 and $75,000.
On the evening of Dec. 7, Zeevi and the associate met Levene at the Westport shop, where Levene examined the diamonds but told Zeevi he would have to “sleep on it,” according to court records.
On the morning of Dec. 8, Zeevi called his associate, said he had scheduled a meeting with Levene for later that evening and asked the associate to bring the diamonds to Westport, as well as additional diamonds.
Local
When the associate arrived, Zeevi and Levene were already in the store. Zeevi showed Levene six diamonds, worth a combined $300,000, according to court documents.
After looking at the diamonds and speaking for several minutes, Levene pulled a gun and shot Zeevi and his associate, took the diamonds and let himself out of the store, according to court records.
After Levene left, the associate called 911, officials said.
Zeevi was transported to Norwalk Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, and his associate also was transported to Norwalk Hospital for treatment.
According to a news release from U.S. Attorney David Fein, Levene flew from Philadelphia to Amsterdam on Dec. 11 and Spanish National Police arrested him on Jan. 23.
Levene was charged with one count of federal murder, one count of attempted murder, one count of causing death through the use of a firearm and one count of interference with commerce through robbery.
“We hope the end of one of the most intensive manhunts in the town’s history will help ease the nightmare of this crime for the family and all Westporters who have been outraged by its wanton cruelty," First Selectman Gordon Joseloff said in a statement.
