CrimeAug 03, 2023
Thieves Nab Nearly $1M in Jewels in Calif. Smash-and-Grab 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.
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 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.
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
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Introduce New ScholarshipIt’s the third scholarship to be launched as part of the partnership to help appraisers advance their professional credentials.
Weekly QuizMar 19, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
JA Still Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsThe deadline for entries in the jewelry design competition has been extended to April 3.
SourcingMar 25, 2026
Rob Bates Steps Down as JCK News Director After 28 years with JCK, the veteran industry journalist is launching his own publication on Substack called The Jewelry Wire.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
GradingMar 25, 2026
New York’s Natural History Museum, Wiley To Build Minerals DatabaseWiley said the project will give scientists worldwide access to the American Museum of Natural’s History renowned mineral collection.
CollectionsMar 25, 2026
Boochier Turns Flower Friendship Bracelets Into Fine JewelryThe “Flower Puff” collection looks to beaded flower friendship bracelets from childhood, turning the silhouette into nostalgic fine jewelry.
Policies & IssuesMar 25, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry to Host Bench Jeweler Shortage WebinarSet for April 2, the webinar will discuss how the jewelry industry can address the workforce gap.
IndependentsMar 24, 2026
Lisa Bayer, Illustrator and Beloved Member of the Muse Family, Dies at 64Bayer, founder of Lisa Bayer Designs, is remembered as “a bright light in every room.”
AuctionsMar 24, 2026
White Diamonds Shine In Christie's Jewels Online SaleThe highest-grossing lot was a Tiffany & Co. ring set with a flawless, emerald-cut diamond of 10 carats.
SourcingMar 24, 2026
AGTA Solidifies Tucson Dates For 2027-2029The next three editions of AGTA GemFair Tucson will feature a five-day show that includes Sunday.
WatchesMar 24, 2026
Christie’s Names New Senior Specialist, WatchesFormer Sotheby’s executive Tom Heap has taken on the London-based role.
FinancialsMar 23, 2026
Movado’s Q4 Sales Rise As Demand Grows From Younger Shoppers, WomenMovado CEO Efraim Grinberg noted continued strength in the fashion watch and accessible luxury segments in the U.S.
TrendsMar 23, 2026
Marco Bicego’s New Campaign Showcases ‘The Art of Craft’After celebrating 25 years in 2025, the campaign marks a new chapter for the jewelry brand with the message that “Identity Creates Value.”
Events & AwardsMar 23, 2026
These Watch Brands Are Heading to Couture This YearCouture and Time to Watches announced the watch brands, from big names to independents, attendees will see at the show.
FinancialsMar 20, 2026
Macy’s Turnaround Plans Shows Promise, Boosted by Bloomingdale’sPlus, why Saks Global’s bankruptcy may have given Bloomingdale’s an edge.
AuctionsMar 20, 2026
Sotheby's, De Beers Unveil ‘Jwaneng 28.88’ DiamondThe flawless, Type IIa stone is estimated to achieve up to $2.8 million at the auction house’s high jewelry sale in April.
TrendsMar 20, 2026
‘Frankenstein’ Costume Designer Is Bejeweled In Brooches for Oscars WinCostume designer Kate Hawley wore three archival Tiffany & Co. brooches, our Pieces of the Week, while accepting her first Oscar.
FinancialsMar 19, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Close 100 Stores, Shutter James Allen BannerThe jewelry retailer announced changes to its store network and brand portfolio during its fourth-quarter earnings call.
SurveysMar 19, 2026
NRF Forecasts 4% Retail Sales Growth in 2026From a weaker labor market to inflation, NRF Chief Economist Mark Mathews gave insight on what retailers can expect this year.
AuctionsMar 19, 2026
26-Carat Diamond Tops $1M at AuctionThe historic stone, which sold at Elmwood’s in London, is the largest white diamond to be offered on the U.K. market in more than a decade.
Events & AwardsMar 19, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach in Las Vegas on May 31.
AuctionsMar 18, 2026
Collection of the ‘Severely Beautiful’ Lady Wardington Fetches $161KThe model and fashion editor’s gold evening bags were the top lots at the London sale, going for more than $25,000 each.
PodcastsMar 18, 2026
Episode 3: An Interview With Jewelry Designer Johnny NelsonFresh off winning the David Yurman Gem Awards Grant, Nelson discusses the ring that launched his career and his plans for the future.
