California Jewelry Store Robbery Leaves Community Shaken
A group of nearly 25 people ransacked a jewelry store in San Ramon, California, this week, stealing an estimated $1 million worth of merchandise, police confirmed to ABC News.
Seven suspects have been detained so far, and some of the jewelry has been recovered, the San Ramon Police Department said. The mob targeted Heller Jewelers inside the City Center Bishop Ranch shopping mall on Monday afternoon. Police said they were armed with at least three guns.
Video obtained by ABC7 shows the masked group storming the store, smashing glass cases with crowbars and pickaxes before being trapped inside by automatic closing doors.
This isn’t the first time Heller Jewelers has been hit. Back in 2023, a group of seven masked men hit the same store on St. Patrick’s Day, taking $1.1 million worth of jewels. That crew was eventually caught thanks to a GPS tracker hidden inside a Rolex.
On Monday, chaos broke loose when one suspect fired at the door to escape. The thieves then fled into six getaway cars in the valet area, several of which police say were stolen.
“When they went in, they basically took over the store,” San Ramon Police Department Lt. Mike Pistello told ABC7. “Taking whatever jewelry was available.”
Police Arrest Seven Suspects After California Jewelry Heist
Officers chased the six getaway cars but called it off when speeds topped 100 mph. Since then, local police have arrested seven suspects, including a juvenile. The group ranges in age from 17 to 31, with most of them reportedly living around Oakland. Police believe they may also be tied to other robberies across the Bay Area.
The San Ramon community is rattled. A rep for the City Center Bishop Ranch mall declined to comment, leaving locals with more questions than answers.
Heller Jewelers Targeted Twice In Two Years
For Heller Jewelers, this marks the second time in just two years that they’ve been hit by a large-scale robbery. The repeat attack raises concerns about how prepared luxury stores really are against massive “flash mob” heists.
In 2023, when the store was hit on St. Patrick’s Day, suspects were caught only because of a GPS device inside a stolen watch. This time, police are scrambling to track suspects through vehicles, video footage, and surveillance.
Experts say these types of robberies highlight how organized these crews are, often moving across cities with stolen cars and planned escape routes. For businesses, it’s a wake-up call. For customers, it’s a chilling reminder of how bold thieves have become.