An alert businessman helped Boardman police catch three California men suspected of trying to sell phony gold chains to local pawn shops.

The owner of Ace Diamond tells police that a man came into his store on Wednesday attempting to sell him two gold chains that if real, would be worth between $450 and $800.

The owner says he had recently received an email alert from the Ohio Pawnbrokers Association that a man, possibly of Cuban descent, was trying to pass off a fake gold chain as real in the Dayton and Columbus areas.

Another local jeweler also reported that a male fitting the description of the suspect was in the Youngstown area the same day.

Police questioned the man, later identified as Jorge Avalos, who told them he was trying to sell the chains that came from his grandmother's jewelry store that recently had closed. However, Avalos could not recall the name of the store.

Officers spotted Otto Alvarez who had been seen with Avalos outside Ace Diamond earlier. Alvarez denied knowing Avalos, who later told police that Alvarez is his cousin.

Police had seen Alvarez talking with a third man inside a Honda Accord, which officers discovered had expired plates. They arrested the driver, Axel Munoz of Huntington Park, California.

A search of the car turned up more chains, as well as materials and tools to make the chains.

Further testing on the chains revealed they were not solid gold, and only worth about $20 apiece.

Police also learned that Tele-Gold Jewelers on Market street had also purchased chains from Avalos .

Avalos is charged with theft and criminal simulation. Alvarez is charged with complicity and possessing criminal tools. Munoz is charged with complicity, possessing criminal tools and obstructing official business.

The three men were taken to the Mahoning County jail, and were scheduled to be arraigned in county court Thursday afternoon.