Watch: 20 robbers enter store, smash display cases with hammers
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(KRON) — Approximately 20 robbers armed with hammers entered a Sunnyvale jewelry store Wednesday afternoon and began smashing display cases and stealing merchandise, according to the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety.
The incident occurred at around 1:27 p.m. at PNG Jewelers on 791 E. El Camino Real. The alleged robbers fled the business in multiple vehicles before authorities arrived.
Video from Sunnyvale DPS (above) shows the suspects blitzing the jewelry store.
Two suspect vehicles were located by Sunnyvale officers and pursuits started when the vehicles evaded traffic enforcement stops, authorities said. On Highway 101 toward the San Francisco Peninsula, officers lost sight of the first suspect vehicle and abandoned the chase.
The alleged robbers inside the second vehicle threw stolen jewelry out onto the roadway as the pursuit continued on Highway 101, Sunnyvale DPS said. Officers lost sight of the second vehicle and the chase was ended.
Officers from outside agencies located the second suspect vehicle abandoned on Highway 101 near Whipple Avenue in Redwood City, according to Sunnyvale DPS. Five suspects fled from the vehicle on foot across the highway and into the nearby neighborhood.
Four of the robbery suspects were found and arrested near Industrial Road and Britan Avenue in San Carlos. The fifth robbery suspect was found nearby and arrested with the assistance of a Sunnyvale DPS K-9, authorities said.
The arrested suspects, identified as Tonga Latu, Tavake Esafe, Ofa Ahomana, Kilifi Leaaetoa and Afuhia Lavakeiaho, were booked into the Santa Clara County jail for offenses including:
- Armed robbery
- Felony vehicle evasion
- Resisting arrest
- Burglary
- Conspiracy to commit a crime
- Vandalism
- Possession of burglary tools
- Outstanding warrants
Sunnyvale DPS said some of the stolen jewelry was recovered, though the total value of merchandise taken from the business is still unknown.
Investigators are working to determine if the Wednesday incident is connected to another jewelry store robbery involving multiple suspects that took place in Sunnyvale in May.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Thomas McKenzie at (408)-730-7110.
