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Rolex didn't match seller, who's now in custody Mail Tribune photo / Bob Pennell Gemologist Carl Lorenz of Rogue Valley Coin and Jewelry Exchange checks out a diamond-encrusted Rolex watch that a young man reportedly tried to pawn on Wednesday. By SARAH LEMON Helping Medford police recover a $36,500 Rolex watch reported stolen last month from a Portland dealer went off like clockwork for gemologists Peter Schulzke and Carl Lorenz. The Rolex showed up in Medford around 2 p.m. Wednesday at Medford Pawn, where Schulzke determined that the distinctive watch - with a diamond-encrusted bezel and dial secured by a yellow, white and rose gold band - didn't seem to match up with the young man trying to sell it. "The watch was worth way more than he was driving," said Schulzke. Nathan Zachary Brent, 20, whom police later arrested for the watch's theft, allegedly tried to sell Medford Pawn the watch for $12,000, Schulzke said. He told the suspect he would probably buy the watch but that he had to clear it. He removed the band and checked the serial number on the watch, which was manufactured in 1999. The suspect said he wanted to think about it and would come back the next day, then left the store, Schulzke said. But Schulzke called Medford police with the watch's serial and model numbers, the suspect's identifying information and license plate number. With the watch's numbers, Medford police Detective Tim Lytle discovered that it had been reported stolen from Carl Greve Jewelers in Portland on July 12. A man reportedly matching Brent's description was trying on Rolexes, employees said, when he allegedly put one in his pocket, simulated having a gun and fled after telling employees not to say anything, said Medford police Lt. Mike Moran. He said police have yet to determine whether Brent, a transient, is the Portland shoplifter. While police tracked the watch, the suspect was on his way to another jewelry dealer. He reportedly told Lorenz at Rogue Valley Coin and Jewelry Exchange that the watch had been in his family. Lorenz later said that he's seen a lot of nice watches in Southern Oregon, but never one like this. The original protective sticker was still on the back of the watch. "The second that watch came in, I thought, 'Oh boy, something is not right here,' " Lorenz said. As Lorenz was examining it, Detective Lytle called him to say that police suspected someone was trying to sell a stolen Rolex in Medford. Lorenz said, "I've got it right here." "I'm not joking," Lytle told Lorenz. "I'm not either," Lorenz responded. Lorenz said he tried to detain the suspect, who appeared to be getting nervous and asked Lorenz if he could get the deal going because he was in a hurry. He then asked for the watch back. Lorenz told him no. He told the young man about the call from police and that they would arrive any minute to clear things up. The suspect ran out the door, Lorenz said. Police were waiting outside and pursued Brent, who was driving a black Volkswagen. He ditched the car in an alley near McLoughlin Middle School and tried to run away from police, Moran said. In his flight, Brent also tried to break into a residence in the 400 block of Fairmount Street, said Moran. Police caught him in an alley in the area of Haven Street and Summit Avenue around 2:30 p.m. Brent was charged with two counts of first-degree theft, first-degree attempted burglary, attempting to elude police in a vehicle and on foot, reckless driving, driving while suspended and driving without insurance, reported Medford police. The Rolex hid out in the coin and jewelry exchange's safe until police recovered it around 4 p.m. As of Wednesday night, Medford police were still interrogating Brent. "I'm just happy we busted him," said Schulzke. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.