San Ramon, Calif. — A “takeover-style” smash-and-grab robbery at Heller Jewelers on Sept. 22 has shaken Northern California’s jewelry industry, after a mob of around 20 individuals stormed the store in broad daylight, stealing more than $1 million in merchandise.
According to the San Ramon Police Department, suspects armed with handguns smashed display cases, grabbed luxury watches and jewelry, and attempted to flee. When the store’s security door locked them inside, at least one suspect fired a shot through the front entrance to allow escape. No injuries were reported.
The stolen pieces included a $90,000 Patek Philippe diamond watch, an Audemars Piguet watch worth $48,000, four Rolexes totaling $76,300, Cartier and gold bracelets, Cuban link chains, and diamond earrings.
Police helicopters and drones tracked fleeing suspects into Oakland and Dublin, leading to multiple arrests. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office has charged Michael Lamont Ray Jr. (31), Ira Raheem Austin (19), and Jimmy Mack Ray (27), alongside a juvenile. Each faces 13 counts of second-degree robbery and one conspiracy charge, with additional enhancements possible under California’s Proposition 36.
One defendant, Jimmy Ray, has pleaded not guilty with bail set at $8 million. Austin, who initially made bail, is now wanted on a $3.5 million warrant after failing to comply with court orders.
The attack forced Heller Jewelers to close for nearly a week. In a public statement, the store thanked the San Ramon community for its support: “Heller Jewelers has been part of this community for nearly thirty years… your support in the days since means more to us than we can express.”
This robbery is part of a disturbing trend of violent smash-and-grabs targeting jewelry stores across California. According to Jewelers’ Security Alliance (JSA), incidents often involve groups using stolen vehicles to ram storefronts before rushing in to loot inventory.
JSA Executive VP Scott Guginsky has warned: “In all my years doing this, I’ve never seen this many vehicles being driven into jewelry stores and this many groups bum-rushing stores.” He urged jewelers to strengthen defenses by coordinating with law enforcement, installing barriers like bollards or stanchions, maintaining robust insurance coverage, and—most critically—training staff not to resist during robberies.
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