Anaheim, CA- The attempted robbery happened at Al-Amira Jewelry on July 17. The owner told FOX 11 that it was close to closing time, when five cars pulled up to the front of the store.
Security camera footage showed about 20 people piling out of the cars and mobbing the store’s entrance. Some of them had sledgehammers and pickaxes and started smashing the door.
Seconds later, though, the group scattered, got back into their cars, and they all drove off.
Video from inside the store showed the other angle. When the people inside saw the thieves, they ran behind the counter. Several came back out to the front, armed. That’s when the owner fired one shot.
What they’re saying: The store’s owner said he thinks the group was watching the store. He said the group moved in just several minutes after one of the last customers left the store.
The owner said he heard a loud noise, and when he looked at the door, he saw “many people. I can’t count it.”
“Then I have to defend myself and my store and my employees. I take my gun, I shoot one bullet, I scare him (the person at the door), he moved and the problem is done,” the owner said.
The owner said that some of his family members were in the store when the group rushed the door.
“Every single one of them was covered in black, head to toe,” said Mohammad Abuershaid, an attorney for the jewelry store.
“Everybody should be vigilant and careful,” said Mohammed Kahn, a customer. “If they notice anything suspicious, they should speak up and report, so everyone is safe.”
For 30 years, Mahmud Salem has owned Sahara Falafel, a popular restaurant near Al-Amira Jewelry. He says he has never seen anything like this here before.
“It was like a movie,” said Salem. “It’s so sad. People are hungry and looking for bigger stuff [to steal].”
The owner’s lawyer told FOX 11 that the store has had one similar incident before, but the thieves couldn’t get into the store then either.About a month ago, another jewelry store across the street was also targeted by thieves. In that case, crooks drove a vehicle through the front of Besan Jewelry. The robbers then took jewelry estimated to be worth more than $3 million.
If you have any information regarding this incident or information on these criminals, please contact the Jewelers’ Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328.
Article provided by FOX 11 News Los Angeles. Click HERE to view video.