Armed Robbery at Pune Based PNG Jewelers Branch in USA in Broad Daylight
An armed robbery took place at a branch of PNG Jewelers in Sunnyvale, California, USA. On Wednesday afternoon at 13:27, twenty masked robbers stormed the shop, using sledgehammers to break through doors and smash display cases. They looted gold and silver jewelry in just two and a half minutes before fleeing the scene as the police arrived.
More than a dozen people robbed Saraf Shop, the Sunnyvale, California branch of Pune-based PNG Jewelers. The thieves ransacked the shop and took every item of jewellery. @MEAIndia should issue an advisory that the US is not a safe place for Indians. pic.twitter.com/sAOeC9S5Hb
— Rakesh Krishnan Simha (@ByRakeshSimha) June 16, 2024
The robbers split into two vehicles. Despite police attempts to stop them, one car was lost during the chase. The suspects in the second vehicle threw stolen jewelry out of the car while speeding down the highway. Eventually, they abandoned the vehicle, fleeing into a nearby industrial area. With the help of a police dog, officers arrested five suspects: Tonga Latu, Tavake Esafe, Ofa Ahomana, Kilifi Leaaetoa, and Afuhia Lavakeiaho. They now face multiple charges, including armed robbery, felony vehicle evasion, resisting arrest, burglary, conspiracy to commit a crime, vandalism, and possession of burglary tools.
Robbery At A Pune-Based PNG Jewellers In Sunnyvale, USA
— sanjay chaturvedi (@sanjay16sanjay) June 15, 2024
In the footage, well over a dozen suspects dressed in black are seen stormed into the into PNG Jewelers, located at 791 E. El Camino Real. pic.twitter.com/MdjwQunYDg
This incident is the third robbery of an Indian jeweler’s shop in the last one and a half months, with similar methods used in each case. Sunnyvale Mayor Larry Klein praised the officers for their swift response, though there has been criticism regarding the police’s initial reaction time. Ritesh Tandon, a recent candidate for the House of Representatives, expressed concerns over the city’s safety and law enforcement effectiveness, urging for immediate action to ensure security for businesses and residents.
Investigators are now examining whether this robbery is connected to a similar incident in Sunnyvale last month.
