The first of at least 20 suspects who stormed, ransacked and robbed a San Ramon jewelry store made his first court appearance Monday.
The DA is charging Jimmy Mack Ray, 27, with 14 felony counts for the brazen robbery of Heller Jewelers last week. But according to his attorney, the Vallejo man insists he wasn’t at the incident at all.
Prosecutors say Ray was part of a conspiracy with at least 20 others to storm the store, breaking display cases and stealing $1.7 million in jewelry.
Prosecutors say someone in the group fired a gun to break through the store’s door that had automatically locked, trapping the mob.
“The vehicles that they arrived in and the vehicles that they used for the getaway were alleged to be stolen cars. We know that the amount of jewelry that was taken was estimated to be $1.7 million,” said Contra Costa DA Diana Becton.
The prosecutor told the judge they found some of the stolen jewelry on Ray when they arrested him. The prosecutor says so far just $200,000 worth of jewelry has been recovered and only four people have been arrested.
“Obviously they feel they can do it and get away with it because there’s not sufficient consequences. Unacceptable,” said Edward Escobar of the Coalition for Community Engagement.
The community activist was at the court to watch the hearing.
He said he’s fed up with all the smash-and-grabs. He’s calling on the governor to call in the California National Guard and pleading with local leaders to get tougher on crime.
“Ennough is enough,” Escobar said.
“Once someone is apprehended for these types of crimes please understand the district attorney will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law,” Becton said.
Ray faces one count of conspiracy and 13 counts of second degree robbery — charges he pleaded not guilty to.
After hearing the allegations, the judge set bail at $8 million.
Ray will be back in court on Oct. 10 for his preliminary hearing. Meanwhile San Ramon police say they’ve got some excellent leads and hope to arrest all those involved.
Source: NBC Bay Area