A federal grand jury yesterday indicted two O'ahu men in connection with the June 1 armed robbery of about $2 million in jewelry in the parking lot of a Waipahu restaurant.

Bryan T. Higa, 25, and Marvin Quemado Jr., 31, were charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery and using a firearm in the commission of a violent act. The two were charged under the federal Hobbs Act because the robbery is alleged to have interfered with interstate commerce.

Both men were charged last month in a federal complaint regarding the robbery and have been in federal custody without bail.

Higa also was charged June 5 with federal drug charges for his alleged role in a methamphetamine smuggling ring. He also faces charges in state court in connection with two home burglaries.

According to the indictment filed in U.S. District Court, Quemado called Higa on June 1 after the owners of a jewelry store brought a suitcase filled with jewelry to Quemado's mother's home. Quemado and Higa developed a plan to rob the two store owners, the document said.

When the two store owners left the home, Quemado followed them and called Higa to tell him where the owners were, according to the indictment. Higa caught up with the owners in the parking lot of the Golden Coin restaurant in Waipahu and confronted the pair.

Higa fired a shot at the two, but missed. He grabbed the jewelry case from one of the owners and fled, the indictment said.

Higa was arrested a short while later in the kitchen of the Leeward Bowling Alley.

The jewelers estimated the value of the jewelry at $2 million.

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.