EXCLUSIVE: Bystander recalls driving getaway car into Petaluma jewelry store to stop armed robbery

PETALUMA, Calif. (KGO) -- In the North Bay, Petaluma police are on the lookout for armed suspects who are wanted for a brazen smash-and-grab robbery at a jewelry store.

Petaluma police said six suspects stormed Gold Rush Jewelers just after 4:30 p.m. armed with hammers, pepper spray and a firearm.

Police said the suspects smashed cases and took jewelry while holding employees at gunpoint.

Police say a bystander then jumped into the suspects' getaway car and drove it into the store, sending the group scrambling.

"I was just being a nice citizen to the people who own this jewelry store," said the bystander, who wished to stay anonymous. "I seen these guys jump out, wearing black masks. I told my girlfriend, 'Block them in. Block them in. Block them in. Block them in."

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He said the suspect's getaway car was idling out front, so he jumped into action.

"I went over to take keys out of car and noticed it was still running. I couldn't do nothing, because it was a key fob. I rammed the car into the building to stop them and basically did. Two got caught," he said.

Police say the car's ramming shattered the storefront windows and a broke portion of a pilar. The suspects who were smashing jewelry display cases with hammers were surprised by the bold move.

"They were pissed. One of them jumped over the car and sprayed me with mace. After that I couldn't see nothing. That's what happened," he said.

Police caught two 18-year-old suspects. Four others tried escaping in the damaged car but didn't get far. They ran from the area. Employees were scared but unharmed.

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Employees we spoke with Sunday said everyone is OK. The store was closed so that cleanup could happen.

"This kind of extreme violence is shocking," said Clarissa Ruby.

Newlyweds Clarissa and Catherine stopped by the jewelry store to pick up their new wedding rings.

"We figured we'd come by to see if they were open and see if our ring was taken. We don't know at the moment," said Catherine Cummings.

Others reacted to a bystander trying to help.

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"That's wild. Very brave of them. Maybe not the best idea -- grab a getaway car and ram into the store," said Markus Hakkarainen.

That bystander said he did it to try and stop the robbery.

"If they got blocked in there, they ain't going nowhere," he said.

There is no word yet from Petaluma police regarding the actions of that bystander.

The Petaluma Police Department is asking the public who may have observed the suspects prior to or after the incident or who have cell phone or video surveillance to contact Detective Alyssa Hansen at (707)781-1291 or via email at ahansen@cityofpetaluma.org.