Masked Thieves Steal Rs 18 Crore Worth of Jewellery in 70-Second Heist, Four Arrests Made

Kumar Jewellers Robbery: High-End Store in Northern California Looted for $1.7 Million

On June 18, 2025, a high-end jewellery store in Fremont, Northern California, was targeted by a group of masked thieves who stole approximately $1.7 million worth of gold and diamonds in a brazen robbery.

The incident occurred at Kumar Jewellers, a store owned by the Indian-American Verma family. At the time of the robbery, there were 3 people present, including the owners and a store attendant, but fortunately, no injuries were reported.

According to surveillance footage released by the US Department of Justice, the group of approximately 24 masked suspects entered the store in a coordinated manner, using picks, hammers, and backpacks to quickly smash display cases and remove jewellery. The entire operation lasted around 70 seconds, with the suspects making off with approximately 75-80% of the store's inventory.

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The investigation led to the arrest of 4 suspects, aged 19-20 at the time, including Afatupetaiki Faasisila, Jose Herrada Aragon, Andres Palestino, and Tom Parker Donegan. The use of stolen vehicles made it challenging for license plate readers to identify the suspects early on.

The incident highlights the need for enhanced security measures in high-end retail establishments to prevent such brazen robberies.