Sunnyvale Police Apprehend Suspects in Dramatic Jewelry Store Heist

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Written By Angela Angela

 

 

 

 

 

The Sunnyvale Police caught five people who were part of a scary smash-and-grab theft at a jewelry store in California. The incident was captured on video.

Just before 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12, the Sunnyvale Police Department received a call about a burglary happening at PNG Jewelers USA.

Around 20 people broke into the jewelry cases using hammers and other tools. They grabbed everything they could and ran out of the store.

As the thieves ran away, the police found two of their cars. However, both cars drove off, leading the police on a chase.

One car escaped, but the other was followed. During the chase, the suspects threw the stolen jewelry out of the car.

Five suspects left the car and ran across a freeway on foot. The police managed to find and arrest all five of them.

The suspects were identified as Tonga Latu, Tavake Esafe, Ofa Ahomana, Kilifi Leaaetoa, and Afuhia Lavakeiaho.

All five suspects were taken to Santa Clara County Jail. They faced charges including armed robbery, trying to escape in a car, resisting arrest, burglary, planning a crime, damaging property, having tools for burglary, and having warrants for their arrest.

The police were able to recover some of the stolen jewelry.

Investigators are looking into whether this robbery is connected to another jewelry store robbery in Sunnyvale that happened in May. That robbery also involved multiple suspects.

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