A group of 20 thieves targeted and looted an outlet of Pune-based PNG Jewellers in California in broad daylight. Significant amount of jewelry.

CCTV footage shows a large group of masked men storming the store in the Sunnyvale area. They then fled in several vehicles. They ran with hammers and smashed display cases. The robbery was carried out in a matter of minutes.

The Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety (DPS) reported the robbery occurred at approximately 1:27 a.m. on June 12 (local time).

“The suspects fled the store in multiple vehicles before officers arrived on scene. Officers observed two suspect vehicles attempting to flee the area. Officers attempted to stop the vehicles, but both vehicles were able to flee, leading to a foot pursuit,” the police statement said.

During a vehicle chase, the suspects threw stolen jewelry from the moving vehicle. Later, the suspects abandoned the vehicle on the highway and five of them attempted to flee on foot.

However, the police arrested all five and charged them with various crimes, including armed robbery, vehicle theft, resisting arrest, burglary, conspiracy to commit a crime, vandalism, possession of burglary tools, and pending warrants.

Some of the stolen jewellery has been recovered. The total value of the stolen jewellery is still unknown.

“The investigation into this incident is ongoing. Investigators are trying to determine if this incident is connected to a robbery at a jewelry store in Sunnyvale in May that involved multiple suspects,” the official said.

Following the incident, officials in California held a meeting with members of the Indian-American community on Friday and promised strict action on the matter.