Heller Jewelers: Several of 2 dozen suspects arrested following $1 million jewelry heist at San Ramon’s City Center Bishop Ranch

San Ramon, California – San Ramon police say that seven suspects were arrested after a group of nearly 25 people ransacked jewelry in broad daylight on Monday afternoon, flying about $ 1 million in goods.

The flight occurred in Heller Jewelers, located at the City Center Bishop Ranch. According to the police, the suspects, armed with at least three cannons, stormed the store and broke windows with hook and picosax and grabbing the jewelry they could.

“When they entered, they mainly resumed the store,” said San Ramon Police Service Lieutenant Mike Tracello. “Basically, take the available jewelry.”

The mobile phone video captured the suspects locked inside the store at some point. According to the police, at least one suspect pulled several balls to open the glass door and escape. The door was part of a safety upgrade installed after a previous flight in 2023, forcing a security guard to press a button to let people out.

“What ended up happening is once the suspects have entered, the door locked behind them,” said Pistello.

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The police said that the flight was well orchestrated and probably planned days in advance. The suspects arrived in six vehicles, parking in the valet area just 100 feet from the store entrance.

San Ramon PD assigns a retail flight grant organized in 2023 to have helped them respond quickly. A drone funded by the grant was the first on the scene and captured the video of the suspects fleeing the store and entering their vehicles.

“This shows all the vehicles of the suspects, as well as all the suspects leaving and entering their cars to leave,” said Pistello.

The agents initiated a prosecution but canceled it when the speeds exceeded 100 MPH, citing public security problems. With the help of neighboring agencies, drone images, surveillance cameras and passenger videos, the police arrested seven suspects.

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Three adults and a minor were placed in police custody in Oakland with the help of the Oakland police. Three other adults were arrested at Dublin Bart station by the Sheriff deputies in the county of Alameda.

The suspects go from 17 to 31 years and are all of Oakland. Police think they are linked to similar crimes in the bay region.

“This is not their first time to do something like that,” said Pistello.

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Two firearms and some jewelry have been recovered, including articles that may have been abandoned or thrown during the escape. Police said many of the vehicles used in the flight have been stolen.

Detectives work 24 hours a day to identify and stop the remaining suspects. Tracello said the investigation could take months but expressed confidence that the ministry would ultimately resolve several cases related to the group.

“It is not something that happens a lot in San Ramon,” said Pistello. “We do our best to follow each possible advance.”