Sunnyvale Police recently made arrests in connection to a shocking smash-and-grab robbery that took place at a California jewelry store. The incident, which was captured on video, involved approximately 20 suspects using hammers and other tools to break into the jewelry cases, grab items, and flee the scene.
The police responded to the report of a burglary in progress at PNG Jewelers USA on Wednesday, June 12, just before 1:30 p.m. During the incident, officers managed to locate two of the suspects’ vehicles, but one managed to escape while the other engaged in a pursuit with the police. The suspects in the fleeing vehicle even threw the stolen jewelry out of the car during the chase.
In the end, five suspects abandoned the vehicle and attempted to escape on foot, but all five were successfully apprehended by the officers. The suspects were identified as Tonga Latu, Tavake Esafe, Ofa Ahomana, Kilifi Leaaetoa, and Afuhia Lavakeiaho. They were booked into Santa Clara County Jail on various charges including armed robbery, felony vehicle evasion, resisting arrest, burglary, conspiracy to commit a crime, vandalism, possession of burglary tools, and outstanding warrants.
Although some of the stolen jewelry was recovered by the police, the total value of the stolen items remains unknown at this time. Fortunately, no victims were injured during the robbery. Investigators are also looking into whether this incident is related to another jewelry store robbery that occurred in Sunnyvale in May, which also involved multiple suspects.
The community is left in shock by the brazen actions of the robbers, and the swift response of the Sunnyvale Police Department is commendable. The safety of the residents and businesses in the area is of utmost importance, and the arrests made in connection to this incident are a step towards ensuring that justice is served.
It is crucial for businesses to have security measures in place to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. Cooperation between law enforcement and the community is essential in maintaining a safe environment for everyone. The investigation into this robbery serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and preparedness in the face of criminal activities.