The incident happened around 10:54 a.m. Friday at Vana Watch and Jewelry. Surveillance video captured two men on camera eyeing watches in a case.
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Owner Jean Boujekian floated around the store as the men looked at the items.
"I didn't' feel comfortable so I came out from the back to the floor and my nephew was in the background and one of them pulled out a knife," he said.
One of the suspects then grabbed a knife and tried to stab Boujekian. He was able to keep the blade away and his nephew grabbed a gun, pointing at them.
"Probably the scariest thing - everything slowed done and your adrenaline is pumping. Everything slowed down. It felt like an eternity, but when you look at the video you see it happened very fast," Boujekian said.
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In the video, Boujekian's nephew can be seen near a safe where the gun is kept and he quickly reaches for it before his uncle is hurt.
"Don't come to South Pasadena. It's not a good place, especially right across the police station. The police were here within 30 seconds. It's not a good idea," Boujekian said.
The suspects fled in a green Chevy Malibu, authorities said.
Anyone with more information is urged to call the South Pasadena Police Department.