Anaheim jewelry store owner fires warning shot to scare off mob of would-be robbers

ANAHEIM, Calif. (KABC) -- The owner of an Anaheim jewelry store fired a warning shot from a handgun, prompting a mob of would-be robbers to turn around and flee.

The incident, some of which was captured on surveillance video, occurred Thursday shortly before the Al-Amira Jewelry store was scheduled to close for the day.

In an interview with ABC7, the owner said he saw a group of more than a dozen masked people drive into the parking lot, exit their vehicles and approach the entrance. One of them began swinging a pickaxe at the front door.

What the suspects were likely unaware of is that the glass door and windows at the front of the store are bulletproof.

"Listen, with this, I had 15 seconds," said the owner, who declined to be publicly identified. "I don't think nothing between just one thing -- I have to protect myself and my store."

He shot at the bulletproof glass. The approaching mob immediately scattered.

"When I do first shot, to scare," the business owner said. "I don't want to hurt anybody. But when he move and run, I relaxed."

He said the bulletproof glass was installed to ensure the safety of his customers and employees.

Anaheim police officers arrived a few minutes after a 911 call.

"I can tell you that our detectives are actively working the case, " police Sgt. Matt Sutter told ABC7. "I just left their office and they are following up on any leads.

"I do know they have at least one license plate from those vehicles (the suspects) arrived in," Sutter added. "So we kind of have to work it backwards from there."

No suspects were in custody as of Tuesday morning.