A violent daytime robbery in San Jose
An elderly jewelry store owner in San Jose, California, was violently shoved to the floor after a group of masked robbers crashed an SUV into his shop before looting display cases.
The attack happened around 2 p.m. Friday when at least 16 suspects stormed Kim Hung Jewelry, police said. Surveillance footage shows the rear of an SUV plowing through the storefront as the 88-year-old owner stood behind a glass counter.
How the robbery unfolded
- Crash entry: The suspects drove a vehicle backward into the store, shattering the glass entrance.
- Smash-and-grab: Once inside, the group — dressed mostly in black hoodies and masks — used hammers to smash display cases and grab merchandise.
- Violence: One robber shoved the owner to the ground as he tried to intervene. Another pointed a handgun at a different employee, while one suspect appeared to rifle through the worker’s pockets.
- Swift getaway: Within seconds, the suspects emptied the cases and fled in multiple vehicles, police said.
The shop owner’s condition
According to Chris Moore, a local housing association board member, the elderly shop owner suffered a stroke after the assault and was hospitalized with additional injuries from broken glass. His condition has not been officially updated by authorities.
http://x.com/Chris_Moore4Sup/status/1964438005156106311
Public outrage and official response
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan condemned the robbery in a statement on X:
“Watching this senior get assaulted made my blood boil. These people need to face the harshest possible consequences for their actions.”
He confirmed he has been in contact with the city’s police chief and is monitoring the investigation.
Investigation underway
San Jose police said the suspects remain at large. Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage and appealing to the public for tips. Authorities have not yet disclosed the value of the stolen merchandise.
The robbery adds to growing concerns about organized retail thefts in California, which have increasingly targeted jewelry stores, luxury retailers, and shopping malls in smash-and-grab style attacks.