Fremont Police Arrest 3 In Connection To String of Jewelry Robberies

FREMONT, CA — Three suspects in a string of jewelry robberies led Fremont detectives on a chase through multiple cities before being caught and arrested earlier this month, Fremont police announced in a news release today.

Detectives were observing the suspect vehicle, a red 2005 Nissan Murano, as part of their investigation into a string of robberies Aug. 3 when they observed the vehicle “casing for victims.”

“Detectives observed two juveniles who quickly exited the vehicle and approached a woman who was wearing a necklace,” the release reported. “One of the juveniles grabbed the woman and stole her necklace before fleeing to the waiting Murano.”

A bystander attempted to intervene and was shot in the leg by one of the juveniles, the news release said, adding that detectives immediately made contact with the robbery victim, who was uninjured, and provided medical aid to the good Samaritan until an ambulance arrived on the scene.

According to the news release, other detectives pursued the Nissan Murano through Union City, into Hayward and finally into Oakland where officers used a PIT maneuver to stop the suspect vehicle.

The three suspects, driver Ronald Hayes, 29, of Union City, and two unidentified juveniles, ages 16 and 17, fled on foot but were quickly arrested by Fremont Police without incident, the release said.

Hayes — who has been on felony probation in Alameda County since January for previous felony convictions of unlawful firearm possession, possession of a firearm in a public place and being a felon in possession of a firearm — was charged with robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, malicious discharge of a firearm and evading police along with other charges. Hayes remains in custody.

The 16-year-old juvenile was charged with attempted murder and robbery while the 17-year-old juvenile was charged with robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, the news release said.

Union City Police Department is investigating the robbery and attempted murder that occurred in Union City.

Anyone with information regarding the robbery series in Fremont should contact Detective Brent Butcher at 510-790-6900.

Anyone who may have been a victim of an unreported robbery involving suspects from the 2005 red Nissan Murano should contact the Fremont Police Department.