Though California has a far less permissive legal regime for gun ownership than many red states, residents of the state still have legal avenues to own and carry weapons, including some handguns. Fortunately for law and order, one such resident was carrying a weapon and so was able to defend himself when the jewelry store at which he was working was targeted by smash-and-grab robbers.
That incident occurred at about 12:40 p.m. on Saturday at a store called Prestige Jewelers in Manhattan Beach, California. Police responded to the incident and found that the employee had thwarted a smash-and-grab looting attempt by opening fire on the robbers.
The Manhattan Beach Police Department, describing the incident in a statement, said, “The Manhattan Beach Police Department as well the Gardena and El Segundo Police Departments responded to a smash and grab robbery at Prestige Jewelers at approximately 12:40 PM today. Five suspects, who were described as wearing hooded sweatshirts, used hammers to smash the jewelry showcases, and an employee of the store responded by using a firearm to shoot towards the suspects. The suspects fled the store to awaiting vehicles that were last seen fleeing southbound on Sepulveda Boulevard. No employees were injured however, some jewelry was taken.”
So, though outnumbered 5 to 1, the employee was able to fend off the armed robbers and stay safe. No injuries were reported related to the incident, and the criminals fled the scene in vehicles parked outside the retail location.
Mayor Richard Montgomery, commenting on the incident, said, “In a time when the community is grieving the loss of one of our own heroes, our number one priority remains steadfast in keeping the entire City of Manhattan Beach safe. We are grateful for the assistance from the Gardena and El Segundo Police Departments who have stepped up to assist our Police Department to apprehend the offenders involved in this crime.”
Similarly, Manhattan Beach Police Chief Rachel Johnson said, “We commend the swift and decisive action taken by our police force today. Their commitment to public safety and their rapid response is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our police force. We will continue to work diligently to ensure that justice is served.”
The Manhattan Beach Police Department later announced that an arrest had been made in the case, saying, “In partnership with the Manhattan Beach Police Department, the Gardena Police Department arrested a suspect involved in Saturday’s robbery at Prestige Jewelers. After an intensive investigation, law enforcement officials have successfully apprehended one of the suspects involved in the crime. While the investigation is still on-going to apprehend others involved in the crime, the Manhattan Beach Police Department requests the public’s assistance.”
The mayor said, responding to the arrest news, “This swift arrest should reassure the community that we have the most dedicated law enforcement agency and partners ensuring the safety of our community. We must remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. Together, we will continue working to keep Manhattan Beach a safe and thriving place for everyone.”
Similarly, Chief Johnson said, “The Manhattan Beach Police Department and our surrounding agency partners worked tirelessly to follow leads, and gather evidence. We are grateful for the support and cooperation of the community in providing information that aided in the investigation in this case. We will continue to chase down leads, and will leave no stone unturned until this case is fully brought to resolution.”
Featured image credit: Manhattan Beach Police Department
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