Sunnyvale Police have successfully apprehended five suspects involved in a shocking smash-and-grab robbery at a jewelry store in California. The incident, which was captured on video, took place just before 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12, prompting a swift response from officers with the Sunnyvale Police Department.
According to authorities, approximately 20 suspects armed with hammers and other tools forcibly entered PNG Jewelers USA, breaking into the jewelry cases and seizing valuables before fleeing the scene. As the suspects attempted to escape, officers managed to locate two of their vehicles, leading to a pursuit.
While one vehicle managed to evade capture, the other was pursued by police, resulting in the suspects discarding stolen jewelry during the chase. Ultimately, five suspects abandoned the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot across a freeway, but were swiftly apprehended by law enforcement.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Tonga Latu, Tavake Esafe, Ofa Ahomana, Kilifi Leaaetoa, and Afuhia Lavakeiaho. They have been booked into Santa Clara County Jail on multiple charges, including armed robbery, felony vehicle evasion, resisting arrest, burglary, conspiracy to commit a crime, vandalism, possession of burglary tools, and outstanding warrants.
Fortunately, no victims were harmed during the robbery, and some of the stolen jewelry has been recovered by the police. The total value of the stolen items remains unknown at this time. Investigators are actively looking into potential connections between this incident and a previous jewelry store robbery in Sunnyvale that occurred in May, which also involved multiple suspects.
