Bystander Seizes Robbers' Getaway Car, Crashes It Into Petaluma Jewelry Store in Dramatic Intervention
PETALUMA, Calif. — A brazen afternoon armed robbery at a Sonoma County jewelry store was cut short over the weekend, not by police, but by a quick-thinking bystander who took the suspects' own getaway car and crashed it into the building in a dramatic attempt to thwart the crime, authorities said Monday.
The incident unfolded Saturday at Gold Rush Jewelers in Petaluma. According to police, six masked individuals, armed with a firearm, hammers, and pepper spray, stormed the business. While one suspect held employees at gunpoint, the others smashed display cases and looted jewelry.
The situation took an unexpected turn when a man outside the store noticed the suspects' vehicle—a later-reported stolen car—left running and unattended. Seizing the moment, he entered the vehicle and drove it directly into the store's entrance.
"I saw these masked guys run in, and the car was just sitting there," the bystander, who asked not to be named, told local media. "I was just trying to help the people who own the place."
His intervention triggered a chaotic scramble. Police say one of the fleeing suspects pepper-sprayed the bystander before escaping. "They were pissed," the man recounted. "One jumped over the car and sprayed me. After that, I couldn't see anything."
The forced vehicular blockade prompted the robbers to abandon their planned escape. A search involving a sheriff's helicopter and K-9 units led to the apprehension of two 18-year-olds: William Butler Clarence of Pittsburgh and Moshae Koron Howell of Antioch. Both face multiple felony charges including robbery and assault with a firearm. Four other suspects remain at large, though police do not believe they are still in the immediate area. The firearm used in the robbery has not been recovered.
While store employees were shaken, no physical injuries were reported. The bystander received treatment for exposure to pepper spray.
The extraordinary event highlights the risks and split-second decisions civilians can face during violent crimes. Petaluma, a city of about 60,000 north of San Francisco, has seen a regional increase in organized smash-and-grab robberies, though an armed takeover of this nature is less common.
Community Reaction:
"It's the kind of thing you see in a movie, not on our main street," said Michael Rodriguez, a longtime Petaluma resident and small business owner. "It's terrifying that this happened in broad daylight, but you have to admire that guy's guts. He probably saved them from losing everything."
"Absolutely reckless and dangerous," countered David Chen, a former security consultant. "This isn't heroism; it's vigilantism that could have gotten someone killed. What if the car had hit a gas line or an employee? We have police for a reason. His actions escalated an already volatile situation."
"My heart was in my throat watching the aftermath," shared Sarah Wilkins, a nurse who works nearby. "The whole community is on edge. It makes you wonder what you would do in that moment. I just hope they catch the others soon."
Authorities have not indicated if the bystander will face any legal scrutiny for his actions. The investigation is ongoing, and police are asking anyone with information or video footage to come forward.