Police arrest three men as suspects in Merced Mall smash-and-grab robbery

Three men from the Bay Area have been arrested for allegedly participating in a Feb. 8 smash-and-grab robbery at a Merced Mall jewelry store.

Andrew Maravilla- Lopez, 20, of Hayward, Maurice Sweet, 19, of Pittsburg and Michael Earle, 18, of Menlo Park are being held on suspicion of conspiracy, vandalism and robbery at the Santa Clara County Jail, Merced police said in a news release.

The trio were allegedly among up to 15 people who entered Prestigio Jewelers with hammers and used them to smash glass cases, stealing up to $200,000 in jewelry.

The three arrests were part of a larger investigation involving several agenvies into smash-and-grab robberies. In the release, police said law enforcement was investigating a “prolific” robbery crew who targeted primarily Bay Area jewelry stores

Merced police worked with San Jose Police Department Robbery Unit detectives, who with the assistance of other local agencies identified and arrested six suspects who allegedly committed multiple smash-and-grab robberies in San Jose.

In those cases the suspects also entered jewelry stores wearing masks, and used sledgehammers and tools to break open glass display cases.

Police said of the suspects were armed with firearms and pepper spray. After stealing the merchandise, the suspects would run to awaiting vehicles and flee the scene, the release said.

On April 14 detectives from multiple agencies obtained arrest and search warrants for suspects involved the in robberies.

Detectives seized several firearms, including two assault weapons with extended magazines, privately made firearms (one which was converted to fully automatic fire) and gun manufacturing equipment including molds, jigs, and tools.

Two additional subjects, who were unrelated to the robberies, were also arrested for firearm possession, the release said.

Agencies who participated in the multi-jurisdictional investigation include San Jose police, Daly City police, Palo Alto police, Roseville police, Concord police, San Mateo police, Pittsburg police, Antioch police and the U.S. Marshals Service.

Police are asking anyone with any further information about the Merced Mall robbery to contact Detective Ray Valadez at (209) 388-7829 or by email at valadezr@cityofmerced.org.

This story was originally published April 18, 2022 at 4:49 PM.