Search for Sacramento Jewelry Heist Robbers Captured on Camera

Details of the Jewelry Store Robbery

A significant robbery has occurred at a jewelry store in Sacramento County, with law enforcement officials searching for a group of individuals who stole approximately $1 million worth of items. The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office reported that deputies arrived at the scene around 1:15 p.m. on July 6 after receiving a call about a robbery. Upon their arrival, they found the store had already been emptied of a large amount of jewelry.

The sheriff's office emphasized that the crime appeared to be well-planned, as noted by Amar Gandhi, a representative from the department. He stated, “No regard for public safety, no regard for human life, but they're not stupid...this looked like it required some sort of planning.”

Surveillance Footage and Suspects

Surveillance videos released by the sheriff’s office depict the group entering the store wearing face coverings, hoodies, and gloves, carrying bags. Two members of the group are seen holding what appear to be hammers. The footage shows them smashing display cases and looting the store before exiting. The video captures the group driving away just seconds before 1:16 p.m.

Two getaway vehicles were identified: a white Audi SUV and a white Mazda sedan. It is unclear how long the robbery had been underway before the call was made, but the sheriff's office mentioned that the store was full of employees and customers at the time. It seems that the staff and patrons may have evacuated when the smash-and-grab began.

Number of Perpetrators and Actions Taken

According to the sheriff's office, eight people arrived at the store in two separate vehicles. One individual used pepper spray on a security guard while entering the store, and a ninth person stood guard at the door. The sheriff's office estimates that the robbers took about $1 million worth of merchandise before fleeing the scene.

Arrest of the Primary Suspect

Following the robbery, detectives identified the primary suspect as 30-year-old Leo Smith from Oakland. He was located in Hayward and taken into custody. During the arrest, a loaded firearm was discovered in his vehicle, leading to charges against him for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Ongoing Search for Other Suspects

Despite the arrest of one suspect, the sheriff's office is still seeking the seven other individuals who arrived in the two getaway cars and the ninth person who remained at the door during the robbery. Amar Gandhi expressed the need for public assistance, stating, “Maybe some of them are from the Bay Area, maybe some of them are local...we want to get the public's help in identifying these folks.”

How to Help

Anyone with information about the suspects is encouraged to contact the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office at 916-874-5115. Alternatively, they can reach out to Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at 916-443-4357. Tips that lead to an arrest may result in a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Individuals who witness news events or have photos or videos of such events are invited to submit them to kcra.com/upload if it is safe to do so. Additional coverage of top California stories can be found through various channels, including downloading the app, subscribing to the morning newsletter, or following the KCRA channel on YouTube.

Additional News Stories

Other recent stories covered by KCRA include: * Sacramento County detectives working to combat street gangs * Kaiser pausing gender-affirming surgeries for patients under 19 years old * New retail development set to begin in Manteca this month * Modesto smoke shops facing new regulations after a police crackdown on illegal activity * Texas beginning redistricting hearings, with discussions on whether California should follow suit * A victim in a Stockton murder-suicide involving a former CHP officer has passed away, according to police

For more detailed information, readers are encouraged to read the full story on the search for robbers behind the Sacramento-area million-dollar jewelry store heist caught on camera. Stay informed with the latest news and weather updates from the KCRA news team in Modesto, Stockton, and Sacramento.