Suspect in Westport Jewelry Store Murder Kills Self

The man suspected of killing a Westport jeweler has killed himself in prison.

Andrew Levene, 41, was arrested on Monday in Spain. He was accused of killing Yekutiel Zeevi, the owner of YZ Manufacturers, LLC, at 431 Post Road East in Westport, while pretending he was going to buy several large diamonds he had arranged to buy earlier that month, according to the affidavit. He was also accused of stealing approximately $300,000 in diamonds, and fleeing the United States to Europe.

The U.S. Embassy in Spain confirmed Levene died in a Spanish prison. Someone from the consulate visited Levene in the prison on Wednesday.

Word of Levene's death drew a quick response from Westport town leaders.

"The death of the accused murder suspect by his own hands will not diminish the extraordinary efforts demonstrated by the Westport police, state and federal authorities, and Spanish police in tracking him down," said Westport First Selectman Gordon Joseloff. "Not only has the suspect taken the life of a beloved Westport resident and caused immeasurable pain to the Zeevi family and friends here, he has now inflicted the same pain on his own family, also innocents in this tragedy. It is a cowardly confirmation of his guilt," Joseloff said.

U.S. Embassy officials notified Levene's family of his death Wednesday.

WANTED

WESTPORT - Police say they are searching for the man who shot and killed a Westport jeweler and critically wounded an associate at a store last night.
The shooting happened at YZ Jewelers on Post Road East at around 10 p.m.

Police say the owner of the store, Yekutiel Zeevi, 65, died at Norwalk Hospital.

The second victim, Ronen Konfino, of New York City, is in critical condition.

Westport Police Chief Dale Call says the suspect had responded to an ad about buying and selling diamonds.

Police say the suspect is a white man, between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet tall, in his early to mid 40s, with a medium build and thinning salt-and-pepper hair. They say he was last seen wearing glasses with black frames and driving a four-door, boxy, blue vehicle.

Anyone with information is urged to call Westport police at (203) 341-6080.

1 Dead, Another Critical in Westport Shooting

(12/09/11) WESTPORT- A Westport jeweler is dead and an associate is critically wounded following a shooting at a store last night.
It happened at YZ Jewelers on Post Road East around 10 p.m.

Police say the owner of the store, Yekutiel Zeevi, 59, died at Norwalk Hospital.

They have not identified the second victim but say he is an associate of the business and is in critical condition.

Police believe this was not a random robbery and that the victims were specifically targeted by a single unknown suspect.

Anyone with information is urged to call Westport police at (203) 341-6080.