4 East Bay men arrested in Tracy jewelry store robbery

TRACY — Four East Bay men suspected in a smash-and-grab robbery at a jewelry store here Thursday were arrested after their stolen getaway SUV crashed, authorities said.

Four other robbers are still being sought.

The robbery happened about 2:25 p.m. Thursday at Don Roberto Jewelers, located inside the West Valley Mall, 3200 Naglee Road.

Police said eight masked suspects entered the store and used hammers to smash the glass displays, stealing approximately $150,000 in assorted jewelry before fleeing the area.

Four of the suspects fled in what turned out to be a stolen SUV, but the car crashed near a mall entrance off Corral Hollow Road, police said.

The four suspects inside the BMW tried to flee on foot but were eventually arrested with the assistance of other law enforcement agencies, police said. One of them was bitten by a San Joaquin Sheriff’s Office K-9.

Some of the stolen jewelry was recovered, Sgt. Mike Richards said. The SUV was reported stolen earlier this month in Washington state, authorities said.

The other four suspects were able to flee in another vehicle.

The four suspects arrested — a 19-year-old Richmond man, a 21-year-old Antioch man, a 21-year-old Bay Point man and a 23-year-old Hayward man — were booked at the San Joaquin County Jail on suspicion of organized retail theft, conspiracy to commit a crime and robbery by force or fear.

The police investigation is continuing. Anyone with information may contact Detective Kenneth Steele at Kenneth.Steele@TracyPD.com or 209-831-6660, or Detective Lissette Ortiz at Lissette.Ortiz@TracyPD.com or 209-831-6569. Anonymous tips can be delivered to Tracy Crime Stoppers by calling 209-831-4847 or by texting “TIPTPD” and a message to CRIMES (274637).