Two dozen masked thieves steal jewellery worth Rs 18 crore in just 70 seconds, 4 arrested

Masked robbers target Indian American family’s California store. (Image credit: X/@CollinRugg)

• Masked thieves stole $1.7 million in jewelry in 70 seconds
• Four suspects, aged 19-20, were later arrested
• No injuries reported during the Fremont, California robbery

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A high-end jewellery store in Northern California was looted by masked thieves who fled with nearly USD 1.7 million (Rs 18.4 crore) worth of gold and diamonds in just over a minute.

The robbery took place on June 18, 2025, at Kumar Jewellers in Fremont and was captured on surveillance footage, later released by the US Department of Justice.

The Indian-American Verma family owns the shop. The shop had the owners and a store attendant present during the robbery, but no injuries were reported.

In the video, multiple vehicles are seen halting suddenly outside the shop before about two dozen masked suspects dressed in dark hoodies run inside. The group carried picks, hammers and backpacks while moving rapidly through the showroom.

Within seconds, the suspects smashed glass display cases and stuffed jewellery into bags. Investigators said the group managed to take around 75 to 80 per cent of the store’s inventory during the quick raid.

Employees inside the store rushed to the back for safety while the suspects carried out the robbery with what authorities describe as “surgical precision.”

The Department of Justice has released footage of thugs stealing $1.7 million of jewelry in about one minute in Fremont, California.

The incident happened on June 18, 2025, at Kumar Jewelers. The thugs were able to steal about 75% of the store's merchandise. According to… pic.twitter.com/tTkcLek0w5 — Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 13, 2026

Jewellery worth nearly $2 million stolen

According to investigators, the entire robbery lasted about 70 seconds, with the suspects fleeing after stealing goods valued at close to USD 1.7 million worth of merchandise.

Four  arrested

Four suspects were later arrested in the case: Afatupetaiki Faasisila, Jose Herrada Aragon, Andres Palestino and Tom Parker Donegan. Each of them was about 19 or 20 years old at the time of the robbery. Investigators said stolen vehicles were used, which made it difficult for license plate readers to identify the suspects early on.