REPORT: A mob of thieves tried to break into an Anaheim jewelry store with sledgehammers and pickaxes, until the owner fired a warning shot at them.

CAUGHT ON CAMERA: California Jewelry Store Owner Shoots at Mob of THIEVES, Scares Them Off

Surveillance video shows at least 20 masked thieves swarm the jewelry store with sledgehammers and pickaxes—until the owner fires one round, sending the crew sprinting back to five getaway cars.

A Thursday-evening rush at a popular jewelry store on South Brookhurst Street in Anaheim, California turned cinematic when a black-clad mob poured out of multiple cars around 6:25 p.m. and swung at the glass door. Store employees ducked behind counters; the owner grabbed a handgun and popped a single warning shot. The blast scattered the would-be looters in under five seconds. No injuries were reported, and the suspects remain at large.

Key Details

• Date & Time: July 17 2025, about 6:25 p.m.
• Suspect Count: ≈ 20–21 people in hoodies and masks, arriving in five vehicles.
• Weapons Used: Sledgehammers, pickaxes, large tote bags.
• Store Response: Owner fired one round from a handgun; group fled immediately.
• Prior Incident Nearby: A month earlier, thieves rammed a car into another jewelry store across Brookhurst, stealing $3 million in goods.
• Investigation: Anaheim PD reviewing security footage; no arrests announced.

Smash-and-Grab Safety Tips for Jewelers

• Harden the entry: Install ballistic-film glass and secondary roll-down gates.
• Limit display hours: Move high-value items to vaults before closing.
• Drill the plan: Staff should know code words, safe rooms and alarm triggers.
• Keep deterrents visible: High-resolution cameras and armed-security signs discourage mobs.
• Share intel: Join local business chat groups to flag suspicious scouting cars.

For More Information

• FOX 11 Los Angeles: Full surveillance video & owner interview — Watch here
• CBS News Los Angeles: Anaheim jeweler fires warning shot at mob of thieves — Read article
• Yahoo News/FOX 11 Digital: Owner scares off smash-and-grab crew with single bullet — Read article

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