Shocking surveillance footage shows a relentless gang of masked thieves rushing into a California jewelry store and assaulting the shop’s 88-year-old owner, causing him to have a stroke during a smash-and-grab robbery.
The broad daylight heist at the Kim Hung jewelry store in San Jose occurred on Friday at around 2:30 p.m., the San Jose Police Department told KTVU.
Footage from inside the store shows the robbery being kicked off by an SUV backing into and breaking through the family-run business’s front window as multiple masked suspects dressed in black, with at least one heard demanding everyone to “get the f–k down.”
The robbers — most seen armed with axes and hammers — then start bashing in the display cases of the jewelry store and snatching gold and jewelry.
The shop’s horrified 88-year-old owner is seen standing in the back of the store as a few of the thieves head towards him, and then is shoved to the ground by one of the assailants as he frantically tries to stop them from robbing and destroying his business.
Only moments after making entry, a car outside is heard slamming on the horn, prompting the suspects to flee.
The suspects — one of whom was armed with a gun — fled the scene in multiple vehicles, police said.
A friend of the jewelry store’s owner, Chris Moore, said that the 88-year-old suffered a stroke after being assaulted during the robbery.
He also shared that the owner was cut by broken glass when he was pushed to the ground.
Moore said the store owner was treated overnight, stabilized by Sunday morning, and released from the hospital.
Damage to the store is estimated to be between $50,000 and $100,000, Moore shared, but the shop has not revealed the value of the stolen jewelry.
The San Jose Police Department has launched an investigation into the brazen robbery.
“No arrests have been made,” a department spokesperson told the San Francisco Chronicle. “The robbers are unidentified and remain at large.”
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan said the video of the robbery made his “blood boil” and condemned the violent robbery.
“This is appalling. Watching this senior get assaulted made my blood boil,” Mahan wrote in a post on X.
“These people need to face the harshest possible consequences for their actions. I’ve been in touch with our Police Chief… and will be following the investigation closely.”
During a press conference on Sunday, Civic leaders, community activists, and the victim’s family are gathering to demand stronger protections for small businesses, Moore posted on X.
“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. We will not stand by while violence and fear take root,” Milpitas Mayor Carmen Montano is quoted as saying.