A group of young men is facing felony charges in Orange County after a destructive jewelry store robbery and attempted getaway left several innocent bystanders injured and caused about $800,000 in damages and stolen items, officials announced Friday.
Orange County prosecutors say seven Los Angeles County men — along with two juveniles — are accused in a violent smash-and-grab robbery at Classic Jewelers in Anaheim Hills that ended in two separate multi-vehicle crashes in Fullerton.
According to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, the robbery happened around 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 23 when a stolen gray Nissan Rogue was driven through the glass front doors of the jewelry store near Santa Ana Canyon Road and Imperial Highway. Five masked suspects armed with hammers and crowbars allegedly stormed inside, smashing display cases and stuffing jewelry into bags and containers.
Investigators say a loaded .380-caliber handgun registered to the store’s owner was also stolen during the heist…