A brazen and highly organized robbery crew in Northern California targeted a luxury jewelry store in Fremont, executing a swift and devastating smash-and-grab operation that netted them an astounding $1.7 million in goods—all in just over a minute.
The U.S. Department of Justice recently released dramatic surveillance footage that captures the meticulously planned heist at Kumar Jewelers on June 18, 2025. Authorities have likened the operation to a “mob-style takeover,” as the video reveals a convoy of vehicles screeching to a stop outside the store. Nearly two dozen masked individuals, clad in dark hoodies, descend upon the store with the precision of a tactical team.
Armed with picks and hammers and carrying backpacks, the thieves executed their plan with remarkable efficiency. They shattered glass display cases with alarming speed, swiftly filling their bags with gold and diamonds and managing to seize approximately 75-80% of the store’s inventory.
According to authorities, the entire raid took no more than 70 seconds before the group fled in waiting vehicles, making off with nearly $2 million in jewels. The East Bay Times first obtained the footage.
The masked suspects quickly jumped into multiple stolen cars, which sped off in various directions. As the vehicles were stolen, automated license plate readers proved ineffective in aiding the investigation.
“Faced with a choice of which vehicle to pursue, officers chose to chase a Black Acura, which led them on a high-speed pursuit through several residential areas in Fremont,” federal prosecutors detailed in court documents. “During the chase, the Black Acura dangerously passed other vehicles on the wrong side of the road, ignored stop signs at multiple intersections, and reached speeds of about 80 miles per hour, swerving across lanes.”
Authorities later arrested four suspects allegedly linked to the crime: Afatupetaiki Faasisila, Jose Herrada-Aragon, Andres Palestino and Tom Parker Donegan, all around 19 or 20 years old at the time.
Faasisila and Palestino were released as the case is pending, according to records reviewed by the East Bay Times.
Most of the bandits remain at large.
