Bay Area jewelry store owner fires weapon to stop smash-and-grab robbery

A Milpitas jewelry store owner successfully deterred 10 to 15 individuals from a robbery attempt by firing a legally owned weapon last week, preventing what could have been another devastating loss for the Asian American community.

What happened: The incident occurred at Fine Jewelry within Seafood City Supermarket, a complex housing Asian businesses in the 1530 block of Landess Avenue at 1:26 p.m. on Sept. 10. Surveillance footage captured the masked suspects using hammers to smash through the front doors but fleeing immediately after the owner discharged warning shots from inside the store. Only the business owner and one employee were present during the botched heist.

What authorities are saying: Milpitas Police spokesperson Michelle Sanchez confirmed proper protocols were followed during the incident. “The employee did contact 911 immediately upon the incident occurring,” she told KTVU. Meanwhile, Mayor Carmen Montano expressed her relief over the owner’s preparedness, telling KGO, “I feel that if they didn’t have that weapon to scare them off it would’ve been worse.” Police confirmed no jewelry was stolen and no bystander was injured by the firearm’s discharge.

The big picture: Unfortunately, this is not the first attack on the business. Two years ago, thieves stole all its merchandise and forced insurance rates higher, leaving the frustrated owner to declare she was “done.” The incident reflects escalating violence against Asian American businesses across the Bay Area, following the recent brutal assault on an 88-year-old San Jose jeweler in a similar heist. In response to these incidents, regional mayors have pushed for full state funding of Proposition 36’s anti-crime measures.

Anyone with information on the incident is urged to contact the Milpitas Police Department at (408) 586-2400 or the anonymous Crime Tip Hotline at (408) 586-2500.