Suspects Arrested For San Leandro Jewelry Store Heist

SAN LEANDRO, CA — Three suspects, including a juvenile whose photo was not provided by police, were arrested following a takeover robbery of a jewelry store at Bayfair Mall. Police are crediting an alert witness for helping catch the suspects. Three more suspects are wanted. Two store employees were assaulted during the theft.

The robbery happened last Friday, May 24 at 1 p.m. Police report that four people entered the store, "All four subjects, dressed in black with hoods and surgical masks jumped the glass counter inside of the store and began assaulting the two store employees. One of the suspects produced a large pair of bolt cutters and began smashing the glass to the jewelry display cases. In less than a minute, all four suspects exited the store with an estimated $10-20k worth of jewelry."

A witness who saw two suspects leave the mall and jump into a waiting vehicle gave San Leandro Police a description of the getaway vehicle.

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Police report that within minutes, an undercover police sergeant spotted the vehicle on the freeway heading into Oakland. The driver accelerated and tried to flee from the officer. The driver tried to exit the freeway but the vehicle became disabled. The three suspects bailed out and tried to run but the solo officer held them at gunpoint until backup arrived.

A search of the vehicle turned up no jewelry.

Police reviewed surveillance video which revealed that a second getaway vehicle was involved.

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"This is an ongoing investigation," said San Leandro Police Lieutenant Isaac Benabou. "We are working with the store employees and hope that additional video surveillance from surrounding areas produces some investigative leads. As for now, the two adults we have in custody will face a series of felony charges."

The Alameda County District Attorney charged both adults with robbery and conspiracy charges. In addition, the driver was charged with failure to yield, hit and run, and resisting arrest.

An update on the condition of the employees is not available.

-Images via SLPD

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