San Jose police say a months-old smash-and-grab at a Stevens Creek Boulevard mall has finally caught up with four suspects, who are now under arrest after investigators allege they used sledgehammers to shatter display cases and swipe high-end watches. According to the department, the break-in happened on Jan. 11, and two of the men are also tied to a separate sledgehammer robbery on Dec. 31. Investigators say license-plate readers, a stack of search warrants, and help from multiple agencies led to the arrests and the recovery of evidence.
Who Police Say Is Behind The Mall Smash-and-Grab
In a press release, the San José Police Department identified the suspects as Devin Hairston, 31, of Oakland, Charlie Jones, 23, of Oakland, Emilio Sanchez, 24, of Hayward, and Roman Camarena, 18, of Stockton. According to the release, Hairston was taken into custody on Jan. 13 outside Bakersfield by the ATF Orange County Violent Crime Task Force and later booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail. Sanchez was arrested in Hayward on March 18, Jones was picked up in Oakland on April 14, and Camarena was arrested by San Leandro police and is awaiting extradition. Detectives say they secured arrest and search warrants for the suspects' homes and recovered possible evidence during those searches.
How Cops Tracked The Getaway Cars
Investigators say Automated License Plate Reader cameras pointed them to two getaway vehicles that were later found abandoned in San Jose and Fremont. That break, police say, helped detectives build their case and identify the four suspects. As reported by KTVU, officers released photos of jewelry, watches, and clothing seized as evidence. The department says the Jan. 11 robbery unfolded around 12:58 PM, and that the suspects took off before officers could get to the scene.
Case Heads To Prosecutors As Leads Keep Coming
The San Jose Police Department says the four men were booked on armed-robbery allegations and that prosecutors will now review the case for possible charges, according to the department's release. Police are asking anyone with information to reach out to Detectives Grodin or Leonard via the email or phone numbers listed in the release, or to send anonymous tips through the P3TIPS app or Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers. Authorities say the investigation is still active as detectives chase down additional leads.
