Thieves Crash Stolen SUV Into Store, Steal About $1 Million in Jewelry
Shocking surveillance footage has revealed the dramatic moment a group of thieves used an SUV to smash their way into a jewelry store in Southern California, sparking a chaotic robbery that caused an estimated $1 million in losses. The brazen crime unfolded in broad daylight on Friday at Classic Jewelers in Anaheim Hills, leaving employees and the store’s owner shaken.
The video shows the SUV accelerating directly into the storefront, crashing through the glass doors, and sending debris flying inside the shop. Moments later, several masked suspects can be seen pouring into the store, moving quickly and deliberately as they smashed display cases and grabbed merchandise.
The entire incident took place in a matter of minutes, underscoring how fast and coordinated the operation appeared to be. Owner Ramzy Tabello later spoke about the terrifying experience, calling it “the scariest thing of my life,” according to the Orange County Register.
For Tabello, the footage is not just evidence of a crime, but a painful reminder of the fear and helplessness felt during the attack. Like many small business owners, he now faces not only financial loss but also the emotional toll that comes with such a violent incident.
After ransacking the store, the suspects abandoned the SUV at the scene. Rather than fleeing on foot, they switched vehicles and escaped in two Dodge Chargers, suggesting that the robbery had been carefully planned in advance. In the midst of the chaos, one employee managed to run outside and take a photo of the getaway cars’ license plates, a quick-thinking move that would later help law enforcement track down the suspects, Tabello said.
Police reported that the escape did not go smoothly for the alleged thieves. Following the robbery, the suspects were involved in two separate car crashes while attempting to flee. Those crashes helped authorities close in, and all eight suspects were eventually taken into custody. Among those arrested was a minor, police confirmed.
The incident has once again raised concerns among local business owners about organized retail crime and the boldness with which some criminal groups now operate. Smash-and-grab robberies, often involving vehicles and coordinated teams, have become increasingly common in parts of California, leaving many store owners worried about their safety and the security of their livelihoods.
For Tabello and his staff, the focus now is on recovering from the trauma and rebuilding the business. While the arrests offer some sense of relief, the memory of the SUV smashing through the storefront and the sudden rush of masked intruders will not be easily forgotten. The footage may help bring justice, but it also serves as a stark reminder of how vulnerable even well-established businesses can be in the face of violent, organized theft.
READ NEXT
- Primark customer stunned after mouse seen scurrying through store pillow section
- Thieves Crash Stolen SUV Into Store, Steal About $1 Million in Jewelry
- Natalie Portman slams Oscars’ double standards ahead of 2026 ceremony
- “I’m Anti-Them”: Trump Says He Will Skip the Super Bowl and Calls Bad Bunny and Green Day “Terrible” Performers
- 12-year-old boy dies after shark attack at popular cliff-jumping spot