Video from Monday’s bold blitz-style robbery at Heller Jewelry in San Ramon, Calif.
Approximately 20 thieves, dressed as you see and wielding hammers, positioned stolen cars near the store before running inside and smashing their way into display counters, stuffing merchandise in bags and sacks before attempting to exit the store.
The group found their exit barred by security glass and ended up shooting their way through the glass – a first for robberies of this type. Seven of the thieves were caught after the theft in Oakland and Dublin and police are continuing their investigation into the crime.
Those arrested were identified Tuesday as:
Brothers Michael Ray (31, Oakland) and Jimmy Ray (27, Oakland)
Ira Austin (19, Oakland)
Jahkeal McGolthin (18, Oakland)
Jacques Samuel (18, Oakland)
Deandre Demisse (19, Oakland)
17-year-old juvenile (Oakland)
Lowlife Vermin Scum — start your engines! I think that’s what they call a Grand Prix start.
Feels like Gotham from a dark movie trailer with the wrong soundtrack.
Glad for apprehension and identification.
Michael Ray, Jimmy Ray, but no Billy Ray Valentine.
… or Stevie Ray Vaughan, which would have been vastly preferable.
Looking at these guys banging bodies against the door, I couldn’t help but think of the hapless thieves trapped in the gambling joint in the movie Snatch. They banged and banged. In the movie, the door opens inward, boys. These guys were not really any smarter in the end.
… and one almost catches a face full of pickax compliments of a wildly swinging comrade. It was a feeding frenzy in there and well coordinated for this type of thing. The drone footage shows them fanning out to preassigned? getaway cars after leaving the store.
Probably already planning their next hit.
Not much left to steal in Oakland so have to go elsewhere. Now some of these stores lock customers inside. Happened to me at the Gucci store in SF/Livermore Factory Outlets. It does slow down trying to exit which these thugs didn’t consider. And second time for this jewelry store, despite having an on-site security person. Could this have become an inside job now?
We had just left after shopping and we are very glad we did. So sorry for the poor employees who had to face those guns.
It is pretty clear that the laws – against wearing masks, against organized retail theft, against carrying guns and using them during the commission of a robbery – mean nothing. This trend is not going to end well. They are armed and they are not afraid to use them.
I don’t think this is an inside job. This is who they are, and the way they roll. It’s par for the course and they will continue until they’re in prison for life at the expense of the taxpayers. I’m not one to sugarcoat.
Where did those bullets go?
This is now the new normal. Just shows us where we are as a society. No cops to be found either.
Well, my previous comment was rejected by the editors. So, let me put it this way, when you elect soft on crime DA’s and judges this is what the community should expect and expect more of this this. I think it’s a bad decision to install lock in doors, nothing like creating a hostage situation, better to let them flee.
Firestone 11R