Brazen mob of thieves wipes out California jewelry story in less than 3 minutes – cops arrest 5 suspects on the run

A jewelry store in Sunnyvale, California was surrounded by 20 would-be robbers armed with hammers who proceeded to ransack the place and steal merchandise in less than three minutes, leading to the arrest of five people.

All the thieves were wearing masks and knew exactly what they were doing. It only took them about two and a half minutes after breaking the front glass of the business to smash all the display cases with their hammers and steal thousands of dollars worth of jewelry. A manager witnessed the assault from his office on Wednesday afternoon.

The incident occurred in broad daylight at approximately 1:27 p.m. at PNG Jewelers at 791 E. El Camino Real in Sunnyvale, 47 miles south of San Francisco, seconds at the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety.

In accordance with 4 KRON, after the robbery, the suspects jumped into several cars and took off. Officers gave chase but lost all but one vehicle containing the five suspects who were taken into custody.

The store's owners say they've never seen anything like it in all the years it's been in business. It was cheeky in the extreme.

(Video credit: KRON 4)

“Sunnyvale officers located two suspect vehicles and the pursuit began when the vehicles evaded traffic stops, authorities said. On Highway 101 toward the San Francisco Peninsula, officers lost sight of the first suspect vehicle and abandoned the pursuit,” KRON 4 reported.

“The suspected robbers inside the second vehicle dumped stolen jewelry in the roadway as the pursuit continued on Highway 101, Sunnyvale DPS said. Officers lost sight of the second vehicle and the pursuit ended,” he continued the medium

A second vehicle was found by outside agencies abandoned on Highway 101 near Whipple Avenue in Redwood City, according to the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety. Five suspects jumped out of that car and ran down the freeway into a nearby neighborhood where they tried to hide. Four were found and arrested near Industrial Road and Britan Avenue in San Carlos. A fifth suspect was found and arrested with the help of K-9. He was obviously better at hiding than his peers.

“The suspects were identified as Tonga Latu, Tavake Esafe, Ofa Ahomana, Kilifi Leaaetoa and Afuhia Lavakeiaho. The suspects were booked into the Santa Clara County Jail on various charges including armed robbery, felony vehicle evasion , resisting arrest, theft, conspiracy to commit a felony, vandalism, possession of burglary tools and outstanding warrants,” the Sunnyvale Public Department. Safety said in its press release.

pic.twitter.com/0QooukDin8

— Sunnyvale DPS (@SunnyvaleDPS) June 13, 2024

According to the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety, some of the stolen jewelry has been recovered. It is unknown exactly how much was stolen from the store and what it was worth.

“We extend our sincere thanks to the California Highway Patrol, the Palo Alto Police Department, the Belmont Police Department, the South San Francisco Police Department and the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office for your help,” the press release said.

“Investigators are working to determine if Wednesday's incident is related to another jewelry robbery with multiple suspects that took place in Sunnyvale in May,” KRON 4 reported. “Anyone with information is asked to come forward contact Detective Thomas McKenzie at (408)-730-7110.”

Terresa Monroe-Hamilton is a constitutional conservative who researches and writes extensively on politics and current affairs.

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