Federal Grand Jury Indicts Four Suspects in $1.7 Million Takeover of Fremont Jewelry Store

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A federal grand jury has indicted four men in connection with a highly coordinated, “takeover-style” armed robbery of Kumar Jewelers in Fremont, California, which resulted in the theft of approximately $1.7 million in merchandise. The indictment, announced by federal prosecutors on January 13, 2026, marks the beginning of federal prosecution for the suspects arrested in the June 2025 heist.

According to court documents, the robbery occurred on June 18, 2025, when a group of more than two dozen masked individuals rammed a stolen car through the entrance of the Indian-American-owned jewelry store. Once inside, members of the crew brandished a firearm, forced a security guard to the ground, and used hammers to smash display cases. The suspects cleared out 75% to 80% of the store's inventory in just 70 seconds before fleeing in multiple getaway vehicles.

Following a high-speed police pursuit that ended in a crash, Fremont officers captured four suspects who fled on foot. The indicted defendants are identified as 20-year-old Afatupetaiki Faasisila of San Bruno, 20-year-old Jose Herrada-Aragon of Concord, 19-year-old Andres Palestino of Concord, and 19-year-old Tom Parker Donegan of Fairfield. Each has been charged with one count of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery).

The federal indictment comes amid a broader regional crackdown on organized retail theft in the East Bay, including a separate prosecution where two men recently pleaded guilty to a similar $1.7 million heist at Heller Jewelers in Walnut Creek. Prosecutors emphasize that while the first four defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison, the investigation remains active as authorities work to identify the remaining suspects who participated in the Fremont heist.