Bay Area jewelry store heist: about 20 robbers, $1 million in merchandise stolen in San Ramon

A large group of masked robbers stormed the Heller Jewelry store in San Ramon, California, on Monday afternoon, making off with about $1 million in merchandise, authorities said. San Ramon Police reported that roughly 20 thieves dressed in dark clothing entered the Canyon Road shop at about 1:50 p.m. in what witnesses described as a takeover-style armed robbery.

Surveillance footage from the store shows the group moving in quickly, with several suspects drawing what appeared to be handguns as staff were confronted at the outset. The looters targeted display cases, using tools such as hammers, crowbars, and crowbars to smash the displays and seize merchandise. They carried bags presumably intended to stash loot and directed staff to comply under the threat of violence. One member of the group fired rounds through the front entrance as the raid unfolded. The thieves then fled the scene in getaway cars waiting in a nearby valet area. Police halted the initial pursuit, citing the inherent danger to bystanders and because air support over the area was available to continue tracking the suspect vehicles.

Air support subsequently tracked the suspects’ vehicles into Alameda County, where several were detained in Oakland and in Dublin, authorities said. San Ramon detectives continued to pursue leads as the investigation unfolded. Seven of those arrested so far ranged in age from 17 to 31, and investigators indicated they believe the group is connected to similar thefts across the Bay Area, according to ABC News 7.

Lt. Mike Pistello of the San Ramon Police Department described the operation to ABC News 7, saying, “When they went in, they basically took over the store, basically taking whatever jewelry was available.” He added that the incident “is not their first time doing something like this” and warned that such crimes are not common in San Ramon. “This is not something that happens a lot in San Ramon. We're doing our best to follow up on every lead possible.”

The heist comes less than two years after a near-identical raid at the same Heller Jewelry store occurred on July 21, 2023. In that incident, at least 11 suspects looted roughly $1.1 million in jewelry during a mid-day smash-and-grab, fleeing in four getaway cars. Five of the individuals involved in that earlier robbery were charged in connection with the case by the United States Attorney’s Office, on Aug. 2, 2023, according to authorities.

In a statement posted on social media, Heller Jewelers thanked the community for support and said that nobody was harmed, stressing that safety remains the top priority. The company noted that it has served the community for nearly thirty years and pledged to reopen and continue serving customers with the same care and dedication as before, with plans announced to resume operations on September 27.

Police said detectives will tirelessly continue their investigation and asked anyone who witnessed the robbery or who has information to contact Corpal Kevin Tjahjadi at (925) 733-7316. Investigators emphasized that information from the public could help connect the current incident to other similar crimes in the region and assist in identifying the suspects and potential accomplices.