Video shows thieves piling gold and diamonds into bags as employees scramble for safety.
ANAHEIM HILLS, Calif. — A stolen SUV rammed through the entrance of Classic Jewelers on Fri., Jan. 23, allowing a masked crew to swarm the shop, smash display cases and bolt with about $1 million in merchandise before fleeing in two Dodge Chargers, authorities said.
The crash-and-grab was over in minutes but set off a rolling pursuit that ended with wrecked vehicles and arrests. Anaheim police said eight suspects were detained after the getaway cars crashed on separate streets, and investigators recovered some jewelry and a handgun. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office is now reviewing the case for felony charges while detectives trace the stolen SUV and analyze surveillance video from the store and neighboring lots. The store, a longtime tenant in an Anaheim Hills plaza off the 91 Freeway, remained closed midweek for repairs and inventory.
Store cameras captured the dark Nissan Rogue punching through glass and framing, jolting the owner out of his chair as alarms wailed. Several figures in hoodies and masks sprinted inside with hammers and crowbars, shattering cases and scooping pieces into bins, backpacks and trash cans. “It happened so fast,” owner Ramzy Tabello said, calling the moment “the scariest thing of my life.” An employee chased the crew as it spilled back outside, where two Chargers idled. The SUV, later confirmed stolen, was left nose-first in the mangled doorway while the group roared off toward surface streets.
Police said those arrested include adults ages 19 to 24 and a 17-year-old who was released to a guardian. Officials said they are still determining each person’s role, how the crew coordinated vehicles and whether others acted as spotters. Investigators are comparing serial numbers from recovered items against the store’s records to verify what was taken. No customers or staff reported serious injuries at the shop, though people involved in the post-robbery crashes were evaluated. The shop’s initial loss estimate stands near $1 million, focused on high-end gold chains, diamond rings and watches.
The tactic—using a car to defeat gates and doors—has surfaced in other California incidents, but is less common than groups rushing in on foot. Anaheim Hills, a residential area with winding roads and several retail centers, sits near freeway access that can quickly move suspects across city lines. Classic Jewelers’ videos highlighting intricate custom pieces have drawn sizable online attention. Tabello said he worries that visibility may have attracted scouts who staked out the store’s routines, from delivery schedules to closing patterns, before selecting a late-afternoon window when foot traffic briefly dips.
Prosecutors are expected to decide on charges for the adult suspects this week. Possible counts include burglary, conspiracy, organized retail theft and weapons violations. Police said they are still looking for additional participants and any outstanding property not recovered after the wrecks. The plaza’s property manager scheduled emergency board-ups and a structural inspection of the storefront frame, while neighboring businesses adjusted hours as crews cleared debris. Anaheim police asked anyone with dashcam footage from nearby roads on Jan. 23 to contact detectives as they map the escape route and identify who drove which vehicle.
By Wednesday, plywood covered the entry while contractors measured the bent mullions. Shoppers paused to watch workers vacuum glass from display platforms. “It shook the whole corridor,” said hairstylist Devin Ross, who works a few doors down. “I heard the hit and then a burst of shouting,” said a delivery driver dropping packages at a nearby shop. Outside, Tabello thanked customers for messages and said the team would reopen once repairs finish and staff are ready. “We’ll get back to work,” he said.
As of Jan. 29, the investigation remains active, with charging decisions pending and police seeking additional suspects linked to the getaway vehicles.
Author note: Last updated January 29, 2026.