SAN JOSE, Calif. — An 88-year-old jewelry store owner was assaulted in a brazen smash-and-grab heist in San Jose, California, police said.
It happened on Friday at Kim Hung Jewelry.
A warning, some viewers might find the surveillance video disturbing
VIDEO: Brazen smash-and-grab robbery at San Jose jewelry store
The 88-year-old store owner suffered a stroke and was also cut by broken glass after the assault, according to sources. No arrests have been made.
A video captured a car crashing through the front of a jewelry store, shortly followed by more than a dozen robbers who shattered display cases to steal jewelry.
During the robbery, one offender pushed the elderly store owner to the ground. According to sources close to him, he not only suffered a stroke but was also injured by shards of glass.
A close family friend of the jewelry owner says she arrived shortly after the brazen smash and grab.
“He is OK; business is not OK. Everyone knows that situation right now. Every business is in danger,” the family friend said.
Local leaders say $50,000 to $100,000 in damage was done to the jewelry business, and the owner also now has to deal with medical bills.
The suspects fled the scene in multiple vehicles, police said. No arrests have been made.
On Sunday, there was a call for action from regional leaders to stop violent crime directed at small businesses.
“In Milpitas, we also have those rams, where people just go and ram the ATMs,” Milpitas, California Mayor Carmen Montano said.
San Jose Councilman Bien Doan commented, “We need more public safety support, additional police officers, and district attorneys to prosecute such crimes, as well as more cameras.”
The family friend and local leaders are pleading with the governor to do more to prosecute criminals and help make things safer for small businesses.
“Although it’s not my business, I feel very scared and angry,” said a friend of the store owner. “Incidents like this occur not just in California or San Jose, but nationwide. It’s neither good nor safe.”
MORE: 3 smash-and-grab robberies in Oakland in 48 hours; 1 business owner held at gunpoint
While some statistics indicate crime is dropping in many cities, Edward Escobar, founder of Cities Unite, says there may be another factor.
He added, “We’re also facing an issue where crimes go unreported by business owners, particularly small ones, due to the risk of their insurance being canceled.”
Local leaders say the owner has closed the business he has run for nearly 40 years, and there’s no telling if or when he’ll reopen.
“This occurred in the middle of the day, at one o’clock on a Friday. It could happen to any business open for daily operation,” remarked Cupertino, California Mayor Liang Chao.
“Hear our voice. We need assistance; we need help now,” Escobar said.
Anyone with any information about this incident is urged to contact the SJPD Robbery Unit at SJPDRobbery@sanjoseca.gov.
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