4 Indicted In 'Takeover-Style' Robbery At Fremont Jewelry Store: Feds

FREMONT, CA — Four Bay Area men have been indicted in connection with a $1.7 million smash-and-grab robbery at a jewelry store in Fremont last year, federal prosecutors said.

The four men —Afatupetaiki Faasisila, 20, of San Bruno, Jose Herrada-Aragon, 20, of Concord, Andres Palestino, 19, of Concord, and Tom Parker Donegan, 19, of Fairfield— are among more than two dozen suspects accused of conducting a "takeover-style" robbery at the jewelry store on Mowry Avenue on June 18, 2025.

Surveillance video captured the moment a driver in a gray Honda rammed into the store's front facade to help the suspects enter the store, according to the United States District Attorney's Office.

That's when dozens of masked people, including Faasisila, Herrada-Aragon and Palestino, stormed the store with hammers and other tools, federal prosecutors said.

At least one person used a gun to threaten a security guard. Another suspect, meanwhile, forced the guard to the ground, federal prosecutors said.

The suspects began smashing display cases and grabbed the jewelry, leaving with about $1.7 million worth of items, federal prosecutors said.

The suspects then got into one of many getaway vehicles waiting for them outside, one of which was being driven by Donegan and had been reported stolen, federal prosecutors said.

Responding officers drove after the car being driven by Donegan, who led them on a chase through Fremont before crashing, federal prosecutors said.

Following the crash, four people who had been inside the car got out and tried to run away, but officers caught up to them and detained them, according to authorities.

Inside the crashed car, authorities found several pieces of stolen jewelry, federal prosecutors said.

It's unclear exactly how many people have been arrested in connection with the robbery.

Faasisila, Herrada-Aragon, Palestino and Donegan each were charged in the indictment with one count of robbery affecting interstate commerce, federal prosecutors said. If convicted, the four men could face up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.