In a brazen act that further highlights the ongoing crime issues plaguing California, a jewelry store in Pasadena’s upscale South Lake Avenue district became the latest target of masked thieves.
The incident occurred near the historic Macy’s shopping center.
Masked suspects, armed with pepper spray and decked out in gloves, stormed the store on Tuesday afternoon.
Using hammers, they shattered jewelry display cases before making a hasty getaway.
The merchandise stolen is estimated to be worth $500,000.
Pasadena Now detailed the series of events, stating, “Armed with pepper spray and wearing masks and gloves, the suspects smashed jewelry cases with hammers and escaped in a light-colored car.”
Pasadena Police Lieutenant Derek Locklin shed light on the manner in which the thieves gained entry.
As the store’s owner opened the door to assist a client, the perpetrators launched their assault, swiftly incapacitating him and another employee with pepper spray.
“The suspects quickly smashed jewelry display cases with hammers, scooped up the gems and jewels, and escaped.
A media report said the robbers also stole personal items from the second person in the store,” Pasadena Now reported.
A potential fourth individual is believed to have been the driver of the getaway vehicle.
Providing more specifics, Pasadena Police Lt. Monica Cuellar said, “The suspect vehicle is described as a dark-colored sedan. We are collaborating with other agencies to find information on similar incidents.”
On the robbery’s duration, Cuellar said, “I’m hearing anywhere from five to 10 minutes, but I’m guessing a few minutes.”
In a direct quote from the store’s traumatized owner, Sam Babikian, to KTLA5, he recounted, “As soon as I opened the door, I got pepper sprayed right in my eye, my throat, my mouth. I couldn’t see anything. Then (all) I could hear was smashing and grabbing.”
Babikian expressed his dismay over the robbery, saying, “Most of my merchandise is gone. Most of the showcases are empty. This one hurts. I’m very grateful they did not harm me, they did not fight. Thank God that nothing happened to me and I’m still alive.”
Organized theft gangs like the one that hit Babkian’s store not only disrupts and potentially destrys businesses but also stains the reputation of the city.
Police Chief Gene Harris voiced this sentiment saying, “Our Department collaborates with multiple law-enforcement agencies on an ongoing basis, and the arrest of the suspects is a priority. This is a family-owned business that has supported generations with the perfect wedding, birthday, anniversary, etc. These brazen acts hurt all of us who work hard to make a living, the honest way.”
Sadly, this isn’t an isolated event.
California has been grappling with a marked uptick in such smash-and-grab incidents, targeting even major department stores.
The rising crime serves as a testament to the pressing need to unshackle law enforcement and provide stricter penalties to deter potential offenders.
When criminals are basically given free reign to steal with little if any consequence, as California has done, chaos and extreme violence can be expected.
Sadly, it seems voters in California, and other declining blue states and cities, never seem to learn their lesson.
Instead those voters flee, move to red states, but keep voting for Democrats, turning those states into hellholes.
Take a look at Austin, Texas for example. It’s all you need to know.
