*Authorities in San Ramon, California, are investigating a brazen jewelry store heist that involved nearly 25 suspects and resulted in an estimated $1 million in stolen merchandise. The incident took place Monday afternoon at Heller Jewelers inside the City Center Bishop Ranch shopping mall, police confirmed to ABC7 News.
According to the San Ramon Police Department, the group was armed with at least three firearms during the robbery. Video shows the masked suspects smashing glass display cases with crowbars and pickaxes before automatic security doors locked them inside the store.
“When they went in, they basically took over the store. Taking whatever jewelry was available,” said San Ramon Police Department Lt. Mike Pistello. One suspect reportedly fired a gun at the door to escape before the group fled to six getaway vehicles, several of which were reportedly stolen.
Police pursued the suspects but called off the chase when the vehicles reached speeds over 100 mph. Seven individuals, including a 17-year-old, have since been arrested. Authorities said the suspects range in age from 17 to 31 and are believed to be from the Oakland area.
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“This is not their first time doing something like this,” Pistello stated, adding that investigators suspect a link to other robberies across the San Francisco Bay Area. Police are continuing to investigate.
Some of the stolen jewelry has been recovered. This marks the second major heist targeting Heller Jewelers in two years. In March 2023, seven masked men stole $1.1 million in merchandise from the store before being tracked down thanks to a GPS device hidden inside a stolen Rolex, per ABC7.
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