A band of thieves absconded with over half a million dollars’ worth of merchandise and pepper-sprayed the owner of a jewelry store in Pasadena, in the latest smash-and-grab robbery to strike a Southern California retailer.
The incident took place around 1:45 p.m. on Tuesday at Jewels on Lake, located at 415 S. Lake Ave., as stated by Pasadena Police Lt. Monica Cuellar in a statement to City News Service.
“The owner was accompanying a client outside the store when a group consisting of three males forcefully entered the premises. They proceeded to shatter the display cases to make off with jewelry worth more than $500,000,” she explained.
“Potentially, there was a fourth suspect who acted as the getaway car driver,” Cuellar continued. “The suspect vehicle has been described as a dark-colored sedan. We are collaborating with other agencies to gather information about similar incidents.”
Cuellar encouraged anyone with information regarding the crime to contact the police at 626-744-4241 or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS. Alternatively, anonymous tipsters can make use of the website lacrimestoppers.org.
Sam Babikian, the shop’s owner, recounted the incident to KTLA5.
“The moment I opened the door, I was pepper-sprayed directly in my eye, throat, and mouth,” Babikian revealed. “I couldn’t see anything. All I could hear was the sound of destruction and thievery.”
Babikian managed to activate a concealed panic button inside the store, successfully summoning the police. His only concern at that moment, as he recollected, was: “I hope nobody pulls out a gun and starts shooting.”
Within minutes, he estimated that approximately $650,000 to $750,000 in jewelry had been lost during the break-in. However, he has yet to conduct a complete inventory to validate this figure, according to KTLA5.
“Most of my merchandise is gone,” he lamented. “Most of the display cases are empty. This one stings. I’m incredibly grateful that they didn’t harm me or engage in a physical altercation. Thank goodness nothing happened to me, and I’m still alive.”
Authorities stated that the thieves chose the opportune moment to strike, as the store operates on a door buzzer system, and Babikian was occupied with escorting a guest.
Babikian has been involved in the jewelry industry for five decades and became a member of the Pasadena community in 2005. This incident marks the first time he has experienced a robbery since establishing his business.
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