Stunning surveillance footage exhibits a relentless gang of masked thieves dashing right into a California jewellery retailer and assaulting the store’s 88-year-old proprietor, inflicting him to have a stroke throughout a smash-and-grab theft.
The broad daylight heist on the Kim Hung jewellery retailer in San Jose occurred on Friday at round 2:30 p.m., the San Jose Police Division informed KTVU.
Footage from inside the shop exhibits the theft being kicked off by an SUV backing into and breaking by the family-run enterprise’s entrance window as a number of masked suspects wearing black, with no less than one heard demanding everybody to “get the f–okay down.”
The robbers — most seen armed with axes and hammers — then begin bashing within the show circumstances of the jewellery retailer and snatching gold and jewellery.
The store’s horrified 88-year-old proprietor is seen standing behind the shop as a number of of the thieves head in the direction of him, after which is shoved to the bottom by one of many assailants as he frantically tries to cease them from robbing and destroying his enterprise.
Solely moments after making entry, a automotive exterior is heard slamming on the horn, prompting the suspects to flee.
The suspects — considered one of whom was armed with a gun — fled the scene in a number of automobiles, police stated.
A buddy of the jewellery retailer’s proprietor, Chris Moore, stated that the 88-year-old suffered a stroke after being assaulted throughout the theft.
He additionally shared that the proprietor was reduce by damaged glass when he was pushed to the bottom.
Moore stated the shop proprietor was handled in a single day, stabilized by Sunday morning, and launched from the hospital.
Harm to the shop is estimated to be between $50,000 and $100,000, Moore shared, however the store has not revealed the worth of the stolen jewellery.
The San Jose Police Division has launched an investigation into the brazen theft.
“No arrests have been made,” a division spokesperson informed the San Francisco Chronicle. “The robbers are unidentified and stay at giant.”
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan stated the video of the theft made his “blood boil” and condemned the violent theft.
“That is appalling. Watching this senior get assaulted made my blood boil,” Mahan wrote in a submit on X.
“These folks have to face the harshest doable penalties for his or her actions. I’ve been in contact with our Police Chief… and will likely be following the investigation intently.”
Throughout a press convention on Sunday, Civic leaders, group activists, and the sufferer’s household are gathering to demand stronger protections for small companies, Moore posted on X.
“This assault was not simply on a retailer — it was on the dignity of our elders, the security of our neighborhoods, and the soul of our group. We is not going to stand by whereas violence and worry take root,” Milpitas Mayor Carmen Montano is quoted as saying.
