A dramatic surveillance video captured nearly 30 masked thieves storming a jewelry store in San Ramon, California, sweeping up about $1 million worth of merchandise during a mid-day heist, the New York Post reports. The store, located roughly 34 miles east of San Francisco, has been linked to a string of robberies involving the same organized gang, according to police reports.
Armed with crowbars and pickaxes, the large group smashed display cases, grabbing all the jewelry they could reach. As the store’s security system triggered a door lock—an upgrade installed after a previous 2023 robbery—the robbers fired guns to break their way out and escape.
“When they went in, they basically took over the store. Basically, taking whatever jewelry was available,” Lt. Mike Pistello from the San Ramon PD told ABC 7 News.
The gang was “inside for no more than one minute, 20 seconds,” according to the Danville San Ramon.
The raid appeared to be carefully planned, with the suspects arriving in six vehicles parked just 100 feet from the entrance in a valet area. Police say at least 20 individuals participated, though witnesses counted close to 30. Law enforcement used a drone, purchased through a retail theft prevention grant, to track the suspects’ movements as they left the scene, capturing footage of their vehicles and getaway strategies.
According to The Post, “cops focused on chasing one of the cars ‘in a pursuit that was in excess of 100 miles per hour,’ police Chief Denton Carlson told Danville San Ramon. The chase ended ‘due to the inherent danger to the public’ as the crooks drove the wrong way into oncoming traffic, the chief said.”
Authorities are still investigating, including whether this incident is connected to other recent smash-and-grab robberies in the region. Some stolen jewelry was recovered and several suspects were detained following vehicle and foot pursuits, but the majority of the mob remains at large.
