Indian jewelry store robbed in California’s Sunnyvale

Five of 20 suspects nabbed; investigators trying to determine if case related to another robbery in Sunnyvale in May

By Arun Kumar

In a shocking incident, about 20 burglars broke into an Indian American owned jewellery store in California, used hammers and tools to break the jewelry display cases and fled the store in multiples vehicles before officers arrived on scene.

Responding to a call about a robbery in progress at PNG Jewelers, located at 791 E. El Camino Real in Sunnyvale at about 1:27 pm on June 12, city public safety officers located two suspect vehicles as they were attempting to flee the area, according to a department press release.

Officers attempted vehicle enforcement stops, but both vehicles evaded, leading to pursuits, it stated. Officers pursued the vehicles from Sunnyvale and ultimately onto Highway 101 towards the peninsula.

Officers discontinued the pursuit of the first vehicle after losing sight of it. During the pursuit of the second vehicle, the suspects discarded stolen jewelry from the moving vehicle.

Officers discontinued the pursuit of the second vehicle after losing sight of it. That vehicle was located a short time later by allied agency officers. The suspects abandoned the vehicle on Highway 10 near Whipple Ave.

Five suspects that were in the vehicle attempted to flee on foot by running across the freeway and into the nearby industrial area. Four of the suspects were taken into custody near Industrial Rd. and Britan Ave., in San Carlos. The last suspect was located nearby and taken into custody by a DPS Police Service Dog after he tried to escape.

Some of the stolen jewelry has been recovered. The total value for the jewelry stolen is unknown at this time. No victims were injured during the robbery, the release stated.

The suspects were identified as Tonga Latu, Tavake Esafe, Ofa Ahomana, Kilifi Leaaetoa, and Afuhia Lavakeiaho. They were booked into the Santa Clara County jail for various offenses, including armed robbery, felony vehicle evasion, resisting arrest, burglary, conspiracy to commit a crime, vandalism, possession of burglary tools, and outstanding warrants.

As the incident remains under investigation, investigators are trying to determine if it’s related to the robbery of a jewelry store in Sunnyvale in May involving multiple suspects.

The department asked anyone with information about the incident to contact Detective Thomas McKenzie at (408) 730-7110.