Thieves Nab $500K in Jewelry in Calif. Group Smash-and-Grab
The Berkeley robbery follows two other Bay Area robberies involving multiple suspects, one in May and one in June.

One suspect is seen on surveillance video approaching Bombay Jewelry Company near University and San Pablo avenues shortly after 2 p.m., according to local news.
Store workers initially refused to let the person in until he removed clothing concealing his identity, said JSA.
Once he made himself visible, employees buzzed him into the store.
When the outer door was opened, the subject held it ajar while six other individuals wearing masks, hoods and gloves and armed with guns and sledgehammers ran inside, JSA said.
They broke windows in the security area, kicking their way into the store, where they smashed display cases. Local news said they held the owner and several employees at gunpoint.
After spending a little more than a minute inside the store, the suspects fled with at least $500,000 in jewelry, said local news.
They left in a black Honda Civic and a gray Dodge Charger.
The smash-and-grab comes about a month after another group smash-and-grab robbery in Sunnyvale, California, roughly an hour south of Berkeley.
Approximately 20 suspects robbed PNG Jewelers, located at 791 E. El Camino Real, around 1:27 p.m. on June 12, according to Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety (DPS).
They used hammers and tools to break the jewelry display cases.
The suspects fled the scene in multiple vehicles before Sunnyvale DPS officers arrived.
Officers located and pursued two of the evading vehicles, which were heading down Highway 101 toward the peninsula. They eventually lost sight of both, but the second vehicle was located later by allied agency officers.
Five of the suspects attempted to flee on foot. Four were taken into custody in the nearby city of San Carlos, and the fifth was located close by, the Sunnyvale DPS said.
The suspects were identified by police as: Tonga Latu, Tavake Esafe, Ofa Ahomana, Kilifi Leaaetoa, and Afuhia Lavakeiaho.
They were booked into the Santa Clara County jail for various offenses, including armed robbery, felony vehicle evasion, resisting arrest, burglary, conspiracy to commit a crime, vandalism, possession of burglary tools, and outstanding warrants.
Some of the jewelry was recovered, said Sunnyvale DPS, but the total value for the jewelry that was taken is unknown.
No one was injured during the robbery.
Sunnyvale police said investigators are working to determine if the smash-and-grab is related to another jewelry store robbery in Sunnyvale that occurred in May and also involved multiple suspects.
The Latest

The independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.


The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

The family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.

Alex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.

The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.

The ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.

The time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

From striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.

The jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.

The auction house's partnership with online watch servicing platform WatchCheck makes repairs convenient and accessible, it said.

The company also noted record sales in the United States and a strong performance in its jewelry category.