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Pasadena smash-and-grab: Thieves steal $500,000 worth of jewelry, owner says

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Updated  August 30, 2023 1:14am PDT
Pasadena
FOX 11

Jewelry store loses $500,000 in smash-and-grab

A jewelry store in Pasadena allegedly lost about $500,000 after they were targeted by smash-and-grab robbers.

PASADENA, Calif. - A group of thieves allegedly ran off with $500,000 worth of jewelry in a smash-and-grab robbery in Pasadena.

The Pasadena Police Department responded to a call in the 400 block of South Lake Avenue a little after 1:45 p.m. Tuesday. Police were told four men in ski masks ransacked the jewelry store.

At one point, one of the suspects pepper-sprayed the owner during the brazen afternoon robbery.

Shortly after the robbery, FOX 11 caught up with the owner, Samuel Babikian, who was distraught by the incident. Babikian said the pepper spray briefly blinded him and gave him breathing problems, so he couldn't give a detailed description of the suspects.

Store owner heartbroken after smash-and-grab

A store owner is heartbroken after his business was hit by allegedly smash-and-grab robbers and may have lost about $500,000 in jewelry.

Babikian said he has owned the business for more than 40 years. He added he doesn't know what the future holds.

"I don't even know what I would do tomorrow morning," Babikian said, holding back tears.

No arrests have been announced.