Costco Jewelry Robberies: Another East Bay Store Hit Wednesday

ALAMEDA COUNTY, CA — Another Bay Area Costco was robbed by a trio of suspects this week, police officials said. The most recent in the rash of Costco jewelry smash-and-grab-style robberies and burglaries series took place in Hayward late Wednesday morning. Police said the trio entered the store just after 10 a.m. and stole several items from a jewelry case. Although store security tried to stop them, they fled in a gray four-door Toyota Corolla, according to Hayward police.

Police did not yet have a description of any of the three suspects. Police said they will be reviewing store surveillance to try to determine if this crime is connected to the other jewelry robberies and burglaries at Costco.

Most of the crimes have involved two or three suspects who are often masked and quickly target only the jewelry cases. The robberies and burglaries have been reported in the late mornings and roughly a month to six weeks apart.

The Bay Area thefts seemed to start in May, when the Danville location was hit twice in the same month. Police said Danville investigators will be comparing notes to see if their robberies are connected.

"We are aware of the Hayward robbery and will be in contact with Hayward PD to determine if the two are connected," Danville Police Chief Allan Shields told Patch.

In late July, the Novato store was hit. Police said three suspects wearing surgical masks and hooded sweatshirts quickly entered the store on July 30 then used a hammer to break a glass display case and steal jewelry. The suspects in that case fled in a dark-colored, four-door sedan similar to a Chevy Sonic, with paper dealer plates, police said.

On May 19, the Danville Costco was robbed by two suspects, who smashed a display case and stole merchandise, firing a gun one time before fleeing the store. The same Costco was allegedly robbed by three masked suspects earlier that month. Police arrested Oakland resident Kesean Edwards, 21, in connection with the alleged robbery attempt. Two suspects in that case are still at large. The Foster City Costco was hit in a similar smash-and-grab armed robbery in June.

Costco has not been reached for comment.

• Danville Costco Robbery: Shots Fired, Say Police
• Danville Costco Robberies: Detectives Investigating Possible Link To Similar Peninsula Crime
• Rash Of Costco Robberies, Burglaries: Bay Area Investigators Piece Together Leads

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