Two East Bay men guilty in $1.1 million Heller Jewelers robbery, but prosecution is just beginning

"It was a million-dollar heist pulled off with blazing speed, where dozens of men burst into a San Ramon jewelry store in broad daylight, swinging hammers, filling their bags, and firing shots before fleeing to getaway cars in a meticulously planned operation. But five months after Heller Jewelers was hit, prosecutors in Contra Costa seem to be catching up. On Wednesday, a jury convicted two men of 14 felonies for their roles in the plot, and authorities recently secured indictments against 15 other suspects."

"The defendants, Ira Austin, 19, and Jimmy Ray, 27, were convicted of conspiracy and 13 counts of robbery. Ray's brother, Michael Ray, already pleaded no contest to being the getaway driver in exchange for a three-year prison term, and a juvenile, who prosecutors say was armed with a gun at the time, is being prosecuted separately, authorities say. That brings the total suspects who have been charged or convicted to 19."

"But police say approximately 30 people were involved in the Sept. 22, 2025 robbery that saw the bandits make off with an estimated $1.1 million in stolen goods, according to court records. The robbers ran into the store, located on 6000 Bollinger Canyon Road, a little before 2 p.m. When the owner closed a security gate behind them, they shot their way out. To observers, it may have looked like chaos, but prosecutors say it was carefully planned with sophisticated means designed"

Dozens of men executed a violent, coordinated smash-and-grab at Heller Jewelers in San Ramon on Sept. 22, 2025, taking about $1.1 million in goods. Two suspects, Ira Austin (19) and Jimmy Ray (27), were convicted on conspiracy and multiple robbery counts. Michael Ray pleaded no contest as the getaway driver and received a three-year sentence, and a juvenile alleged to have been armed is prosecuted separately. Authorities have indicted 15 additional suspects, bringing charged or convicted individuals to 19, while police estimate roughly 30 participants. The operation used assigned roles, unmarked vehicles, staged clean cars, and a plan to hinder police response.

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