FREMONT, Calif. — Four suspects were arrested following a brazen daylight robbery at Kumar Jewelers where masked thieves stole $1.7 million worth of gold and diamond jewelry in just over one minute, according to federal prosecutors.
The June 18, 2025 heist targeted the Indian-American owned jewelry store in Fremont, with surveillance footage showing approximately 20 masked suspects storming the business and smashing display cases with hammers and other tools. The U.S. Department of Justice released the security camera footage this week as part of ongoing prosecution efforts. Federal prosecutors said the thieves made off with 75 to 80 percent of the store’s merchandise, equivalent to roughly 16 crore rupees. The coordinated attack involved multiple stolen vehicles that stopped simultaneously in front of the store before the suspects rushed inside wearing dark hoodies and carrying backpacks.
Police immediately gave chase to a black Acura fleeing the scene, with officers pursuing the vehicle through residential neighborhoods at speeds reaching 80 miles per hour. Court documents show the driver ran multiple stop signs and drove on the wrong side of the road while attempting to evade capture. The high-speed chase ended with the arrest of four suspects, all between 19 and 20 years old at the time of the crime. Prosecutors identified the arrested individuals as Afatupetak Fasisiala, Jose Herada Eragon, Andres Palestino, and Tom Parker Donegan. However, records reviewed by the East Bay Times indicate two of the four suspects have since been released from custody while the investigation continues.
The sophisticated nature of the robbery presented significant challenges for law enforcement, as the thieves used stolen vehicles that could not be easily tracked through automatic license plate reader systems. This forced officers to make split-second decisions about which suspect vehicle to pursue as the group fled in multiple directions. The speed and coordination of the attack left store employees with little time to react or activate additional security measures. Federal investigators are still working to identify and locate the remaining suspects who participated in the robbery but escaped capture during the initial police response.
Similar jewelry store robberies have plagued California in recent years, with organized crews targeting businesses that deal in high-value precious metals and gems. The Kumar Jewelers case represents one of the largest single-incident thefts from a jewelry retailer in the Bay Area, highlighting ongoing security challenges faced by small business owners. Store owners in the jewelry industry have increasingly invested in reinforced display cases, enhanced alarm systems, and coordinated response protocols with local law enforcement. The Indian-American business community in Fremont has expressed particular concern about being targeted, though investigators have not indicated whether the suspects specifically chose Kumar Jewelers based on the owners’ ethnicity or simply as a crime of opportunity.
Federal prosecutors are preparing charges against the arrested suspects while continuing to investigate the broader criminal network involved in the heist. The case falls under federal jurisdiction due to the interstate nature of the crime and the use of stolen vehicles that crossed state lines. Court proceedings for the arrested individuals are expected to begin within the coming months, though specific hearing dates have not been announced. The FBI continues to seek information from the public regarding the identity and whereabouts of the remaining suspects who participated in the robbery but have not been apprehended.
The surveillance footage released by the Department of Justice provides a clear view of the suspects’ methods and coordination during the robbery. Store employees and customers can be seen stepping back as the masked individuals systematically targeted specific display cases containing the most valuable inventory. The video shows the thieves working with practiced efficiency, suggesting possible involvement in similar crimes elsewhere. Local business owners have used the footage to review their own security protocols and emergency response procedures.
The investigation remains active with multiple federal and local agencies working to identify additional suspects and recover stolen merchandise. Authorities have not disclosed whether any of the stolen jewelry has been recovered or if they have identified potential buyers for the stolen goods. The case continues as prosecutors build evidence for trial while law enforcement pursues leads on the suspects who remain at large.
