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Shocking raw video shows army of smash and grab suspects entering San Ramon jewelry store
San Ramon Police Department share surveillance video from the interior of Heller Jewelers as more than 20 smash-and-grab suspects, some of whom are armed with firearms, enter and begin ransacking the store with items like hammers and pickaxes. This happened on Sept. 22. Police initially said shots were fired during the robbery but that no one was injured.
SAN RAMON, Calif. - A San Ramon jewelry shop that was ransacked in a violent smash-and-grab robbery will reopen this weekend.
Heller Jewelers shared on social media that it will reopen its doors Saturday and thanked the community for its support.
"From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing by us," the store said.
Brazen robbery captured on video
What we know:
On Monday, nearly two dozen suspects—some armed with guns—stormed Heller Jewelers on Bollinger Canyon Road. They used hammers and pickaxes to smash display cases and grab merchandise.
Surveillance video shows the group overwhelming the store within seconds, shattering glass and taking everything in their path. One suspect fired a gun to shoot out the front door, clearing the way for the group to flee.
Police said the suspects ran to vehicles stashed in the City Center Bishop Ranch valet parking area. Officers briefly pursued the suspect vehicles, but ended the chase to allow air support to track the cars into Contra Costa and Alameda counties.
Several suspects were later detained in Oakland and Dublin, including 27-year-old Jimmy Ray and his brother Michael Ray.
This marks the second $1 million robbery at Heller Jewelers in recent years.
Activists plan rally
The mayor of the neighboring city of Dublin, along with representatives from the Coalition for Community Engagement and the founder of Asians Unite plan to hold a rally at the store on Thursday morning in response to the smash-and-grab robbery. Edward Escobar, founder of Coalition for Community Engagement said, "Our local businesses are under siege."
While the owners of Hellers do not identify as Latino or Asian, the activists said they want to rally in order to amplify the voices of immigrant, Asian and Latino business owners. The activists are looking to support and defend all small businesses.
"This is not just about one store – it's about the safety and survival of entire communities. We will not stand by while violence and lawlessness go unchecked," Escobar said.
The Source: Heller Jewelers, news release from Coalition for Community Engagement, previous reporting.