A local JCPenney store is believed to be one of 10 locations in California that were hit by thieves who so far have stolen about $2.5 million in gold from the chain.

In January, four people wearing masks and gloves broke into the JCPenney at Stoneridge Shopping Center in Pleasanton and went for the gold, ignoring diamonds and other expensive jewelry, Pleasanton police Detective Aaron Fountain said.

Surveillance tapes from the stores indicated that the thieves and the modus operandi in the Pleasanton case were identical to the incidents at the other stores, Fountain said.

In each case, three burglars — each wearing hooded sweatshirts and face masks — entered the chain's mall locations using a crowbar to get in through an emergency exit. Each time they headed straight to the fine jewelry department, where they took only gold, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department. The suspects may prefer gold because it sells for $1,000 per ounce once melted down, a department spokesman said.

Since 2006, thieves have targeted JCPenney stores primarily in Southern California. Only two stores in Northern California — in Pleasanton and Cupertino — have been hit. The latest burglaries occurred one after the other early Friday, first in Laguna Hills, Orange County, and then in Carlsbad, San Diego County.

The Pleasanton case has become inactive because of a lack of leads, Fountain said, but his department is in

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contact with agencies in Southern California and with the department store's corporate security.

Why the thieves are targeting JCPenney stores remains unclear.

"We don't know what the link is," Fountain said, adding that it's not because of lax security. "They have to force entry into the building."

Associated Press contributed to this story. Reach Sophia Kazmi at skazmi@bayareanewsgroup.com or 925-847-2122.