Six masked suspects stormed Gold Rush Jewelers in Petaluma, smashing displays and stealing jewelry while one held employees at gunpoint. A passerby climbed into the robbers' running getaway car and rammed it into the storefront, forcing the suspects to flee; one suspect pepper-sprayed the bystander, temporarily blinding him. Two 18-year-olds were arrested and booked on multiple felony charges; four others escaped and remain sought by police. The stolen getaway car was recovered; the firearm used in the robbery has not been found.
Good Samaritan Seizes Robbers' Getaway Car, Rams It Into Petaluma Jewelry Store During Smash-and-Grab
Petaluma police respond to a smash-and-grab robbery at Gold Rush Jewelers involving multiple suspects, authorities said.
Petaluma police in Northern California are searching for four armed suspects after a brazen smash-and-grab at Gold Rush Jewelers that took an unexpected turn when a bystander climbed into the robbers' running getaway car and drove it into the store's front to halt the theft.
What Happened
Authorities say six people rushed into the shop Saturday afternoon armed with hammers, pepper spray and a firearm, smashing display cases and grabbing jewelry while one suspect held employees at gunpoint. An uninvolved passerby noticed the getaway vehicle running outside and said he climbed into the car and rammed it into the storefront, forcing the suspects to flee.
"I was just being a nice citizen to the people who own this jewelry store," the man told ABC7/KGO, describing how he saw masked suspects run inside and realized the vehicle had been left unattended.
Aftermath And Response
The chaotic retreat escalated when one suspect pepper-sprayed the bystander before escaping; the man told KGO he was temporarily blinded during the confrontation. Police say four suspects managed to get away, while two were apprehended following a search involving a sheriff's helicopter and K9 units.
Petaluma police investigate a smash-and-grab robbery at Gold Rush Jewelers as a search continues for multiple suspects involved in the crime.
Petaluma police identified the two people taken into custody as 18-year-old William Butler Clarence of Pittsburgh and 18-year-old Moshae Koron Howell of Antioch. Both were booked into the Sonoma County jail on multiple felony charges, including robbery, burglary and assault with a firearm.
Officers later recovered the abandoned getaway vehicle; it had been reported stolen. The firearm allegedly used in the robbery has not been recovered. Store employees were shaken but not physically injured, police said.
Community members described the bystander's intervention as brave but risky. Police have not yet said whether the bystander's actions will face legal scrutiny. Authorities are asking anyone with information or video related to the robbery to contact the Petaluma Police Department.
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