Photo: AnnaStills / iStock / Getty Images
A violent smash-and-grab robbery at Kim Hung Jewelry in East San Jose, California, left the store's 88-year-old owner injured on Friday (September 5). The incident unfolded when a stolen SUV reversed through the store's glass storefront, allowing over a dozen masked robbers to enter. Armed with hammers and axes, the assailants smashed display cases and stole gold and jewelry.
The store's owner was shoved to the ground during the attack, suffering cuts from broken glass and a stroke. He was treated in the hospital and released by Sunday morning. The robbery caused an estimated $50,000 to $100,000 in damage, but the value of the stolen items remains undisclosed.
Local leaders, including San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and Milpitas Mayor Carmen Montano, condemned the attack. Montano stated, "This attack was not just on a store — it was on the dignity of our elders, the safety of our neighborhoods, and the soul of our community." Mahan expressed his anger, calling for harsh consequences for the perpetrators.
The San Jose Police Department is investigating the robbery as an armed robbery, with the suspects still at large. No arrests have been made, and police urge anyone with information to contact the SJPD Robbery Unit.
The incident has sparked calls from community leaders for increased protection for small businesses, highlighting the growing concern over violent crimes targeting these establishments.
You can watch the surveillance video from inside the store, which captured the robbery.