SAN RAMON, Calif. (KGO) – A week after the brazen robbery at Heller Jewelers in San Ramon’s City Center Bishop Ranch, one of four suspects arrested was in court Monday. The suspect has been identified as 27-year-old Jimmy Mack Ray.
The Contra Costa County public defender said he is a father of two who works at a nonprofit in San Francisco. Police reported finding jewelry in possession, connecting him to the crime.
“He is innocent,” said Ray’s girlfriend coming out of court.
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Ray denied the allegations in front of the judge. His public defender saying on behalf of Ray said “not guilty… was not at the incident at all.”
Ray is facing 13 counts of second-degree robbery and one count of conspiracy to commit a crime. Each robbery has an enhancement that can add additional years to the sentence.
“Everyone of course is innocent until proven – until the charges are proven. The DA has that burden. We would not have filed the case if we didn’t have sufficient evidence to prove these charges beyond a reasonable doubt,” said Diana Becton, Contra Costa County District Attorney.
DA Becton confirmed police presented evidence that connects the suspect to the crime.
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“So far from the investigation that the police have reported, that the vehicles they arrived in and the vehicles they used to get away were alleged to be stolen cars, and we know that the amount of jewelry taken is $1.7 million,” said Becton.
Out of about 20 people who were caught on video committing the crime, only four are being prosecuted – among them three adults and one juvenile. According to the DA’s office, Ray was in a vehicle police stopped after the crime.
“When you commit these acts in Contra Costa County, please know that the police will make every effort to apprehend and when they apprehend, the district attorney’s office will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law,” said Becton.
According DA Becton, only $100,000 in jewelry has been recovered. Ray’s bail was set at $8 million. His next court hearing is scheduled for October 10.
