Crime

5 Charged in March Armed Robbery at California Store

CrimeAug 08, 2023

5 Charged in March Armed Robbery at California Store

GPS tracking information from a stolen Rolex helped investigators identify the suspects wanted for the robbery at Heller Jewelers.

Stock image of hands in handcuffs
GPS tracking information from a stolen Rolex watch led to the arrest of five of the almost dozen individuals allegedly involved in the March armed robbery of Heller Jewelers in San Ramon, California.
San Francisco—Five individuals have been charged for their alleged roles in the million-dollar armed heist that took place at Heller Jewelers in San Ramon, California, on March 17. 

According to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in California’s Northern District, the defendants are Sunia Mafileo Faavesi, 30; Ryan Kentrell Montgomery, 35; Paul Christopher Tonga, 33; 34-year-old Kyle Vehikite; and John Ioane Tupou, 30.

All but Tupou, who remains at large, were arrested July 26 and made their initial court appearance July 27. 

All five face a charge of conspiracy to commit robbery affecting interstate commerce, and the government has filed a motion asking they be detained pretrial, the statement says.

An affidavit, signed by a special agent of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), was unsealed at the defendants’ initial appearance. 

It outlines how GPS information from one of the Rolex watches stolen from the store helped investigators identify Tonga as being involved the day of the robbery and led to a covert investigation resulting in the identification of the four other suspects.

 Related stories will be right here … 

According to court papers, a week prior to the robbery, the individuals cased the store, returning in the afternoon on March 17 with at least 11 others, some armed, to execute the approximately one-minute robbery.

Seven masked suspects approached the store, with one holding the door security guard at gunpoint while the other six entered.

Once inside, another suspect pulled out a gun, pointing it at customers and employees and demanding they get on the ground.

The remaining five individuals smashed display cases with hammers and stuffed jewelry and watches into a duffel bag. All suspects left in getaway vehicles with more than $1 million in jewels and Rolex watches.

Court papers said approximately 10 people were inside the store during the robbery, which took place at the crowded City Center Bishop Ranch shopping center in the middle of the day. Multiple bystanders, including children, fled the scene.

Surveillance footage showed two cars leaving the lot with suspects; the vehicles were found abandoned later in the day.

Witnesses helped law enforcement identify two additional cars, including a blue Toyota Sequoia registered to a family member of Tonga. It was involved in a hit-and-run collision leaving the mall, resulting in two injured victims.

Officers from the San Ramon Police Department arrived as the four cars were fleeing.

Court papers said that following the robbery, investigators were able to quickly activate a GPS tracking chip embedded in the cushion of the packaging of one of the stolen Rolexes.

They were able to watch the Rolex move in “precise concert” with Tonga’s Toyota Sequoia, which was seen by live surveilling officers traveling across the San Mateo Bridge, leading them later to the abandoned cars.

During a search of the Sequoia in the days following the robbery, investigators located weapons, drugs and masks that were matched through Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) to Tonga and Tupou.

Tonga’s iCloud data and phone records revealed “tightly coordinated movements across multiple parties—including both the defendants and as-yet unidentified co-conspirators—both the day of the robbery and at a casing event,” according to court papers.

Also, the defendants’ phone data places them simultaneously with the watch GPS at the site where the two cars were dumped after the robbery.

“But for the good fortune of the identification of Tonga’s vehicle on the day of the robbery and the activation of the GPS chip, none of this may have been possible, and defendants may have avoided prosecution,” court papers state.

The FBI is investigating a claim in the affidavit that one of the suspects was receiving inside information on the investigation via text from a clerk at the local police department.

If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum sentence of 20 years, and a fine of $250,000, according to the statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

News of the charges in the March armed robbery in San Ramon comes amid a string of smash-and-grab robberies that have been plaguing California jewelers over the last few months.

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance’s most recent annual crime report shows that the number of smash-and-grab robberies nearly doubled in 2022

The Latest

Movado Connect 2.0 watches
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment

The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.

Zoë Chicco Bracelets
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable Environment

Between tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.

Renato Cipullo Hematite Blaze Necklace
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ Necklace

Designed by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.

Article Image 1.png
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.

More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.

Stock image of shipping containers
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs Invalid

However, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.

Weekly QuizMay 30, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Britney Spears
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry Line

The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.

Inoveo Platinum Grain image.jpg
Supplier BulletinMay 29, 2025
Inoveo Platinum Grain, Exclusively Distributed by Stuller

Sponsored by Stuller

antique_Vegas_2024_by_headshot_stories_9454.jpg
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the Globe

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

Grizzly Mining Pilala emerald
SourcingMay 29, 2025
Grizzly Auctions 6,620-Carat Emerald

It was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.

GemFind Logo
TechnologyMay 29, 2025
GemFind Launches AI Product Description Software

GemText AI uses artificial intelligence to generate tailored product titles, descriptions, and tags with jewelry-specific language.

Graff Fontainebleau Las Vegas
MajorsMay 28, 2025
Graff Unveils New Las Vegas Flagship

The 3,300-square foot location is the jeweler's largest store in North America.

New York Liberty 2024 WNBA Championship Ring
CollectionsMay 28, 2025
NY Liberty’s 2024 Championship Rings Honor Historic Win

The WNBA team received rings imbued with meaning, from leaf motifs and its Liberty torch to the number of diamonds used.

Jewelers Board of Trade logo
MajorsMay 28, 2025
Andrew Rickard Named JBT President

A longtime executive at RDI Diamonds, Rickard has served on the JBT board for the past five years.

Logos for Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America and Jewelers of America
MajorsMay 27, 2025
MJSA to Become Part of Jewelers of America

The two organizations have signed an affiliation agreement that’s expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.

Al Capone Pocket Watch
AuctionsMay 27, 2025
Al Capone’s Patek Philippe Pocket Watch Back Up for Auction

The platinum and diamond watch is part of Sotheby’s upcoming Important Watches sale.

Kat Florence Lumina
AuctionsMay 27, 2025
182-Carat Paraíba-Type Tourmaline Sells for $487K

Recovered in Mozambique, “The Kat Florence Lumina” was part of Bonhams’ Hong Kong jewelry auction held last week.

Mark Henry Gumdrop Bypass Ring
TrendsMay 27, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Candy-Colored Gemstones

Get a taste of the delicious candy-like gemstones in this Amanda’s Style File.

Bliss Lau Bright Ring
CollectionsMay 23, 2025
Piece of the Week: Bliss Lau’s ‘Bright’ Ring

From Lau’s “Love of a Kind” series, the engagement ring was inspired by the moon and holds a different meaning depending on how it is worn.

GIA pearl report
GradingMay 23, 2025
GIA Updates Pearl Classification System

The lab has adjusted the scale it uses for nacre grading.

GCALbySarine Diamond Journey Certificate_1872x1052.jpg
Supplier BulletinMay 22, 2025
How to Put Natural Diamonds Back in the Spotlight

Sponsored by GCAL by Sarine

The late West Virginia jeweler David Ettinger
CrimeMay 22, 2025
NY Jeweler Sentenced in Shoving Death of Colleague at IJO Show

David Walton will serve three years’ probation after an incident in a hotel bar led to the death of West Virginia jeweler David Ettinger.

Watches of Switzerland store in Mall of America
FinancialsMay 22, 2025
Watches of Switzerland’s Full-Year U.S. Sales Climb 14%

The retailer also provided an update on how the tariffs situation in the U.S. is affecting its business.

Jorge Adeler, Wendy Adeler, Valentina Adeler
IndependentsMay 22, 2025
Adeler Jewelers Celebrates 50 Years

The family-owned jeweler in Great Falls, Virginia, will be celebrating its golden jubilee with a year’s worth of events.

Jose Hess Design Awards 2025 Trophy
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Announce Judges

The nonprofit elected five judges who will decide the winners of its design competition.

MJSA 2025-2026 Buyer’s Guide
MajorsMay 22, 2025
MJSA Releases 2025-2026 Buyer’s Guide

This year’s edition includes articles on the favorite tools of notable designers, evaluating when to outsource production, and more.

Bulgari Invisible Violet Necklace and Rainbow Flow Necklace
CollectionsMay 21, 2025
Bulgari Highlights Its Colorful Past in Phenomenal ‘Polychroma’ Collection

The jeweler’s high jewelry collection features extraordinary gemstones, like a 241.06-carat emerald and the world’s fourth-largest spinel.

Industry analyst Edahn Golan
ColumnistsMay 21, 2025
Edahn’s Take: Analyzing the 2025 ‘$100 Million Supersellers’ List

In a special column for the State of the Majors, Edahn Golan breaks down what the top-performing fine jewelry sellers are doing right.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy