clerk

Jewelry Store Owner Fights Back Against Smash-and-Grab Robbers

A jewelry store owner in Lauderhill, Florida, fought back against a group of smash-and-grab robbers and it was all caught on camera.

In the video, a man is seen calmly walking into the Immanuel Jewelry Store on State Road 7 around 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. He then pulled out a hammer and started smashing a display case.

Several other people, wearing masks and gloves, stormed in behind him and started grabbing whatever they could get their hands on.

But the thieves probably didn't bet on store owner Sue Shimochi and the other female clerks fighting back.

The women said they weren't thinking of their own safety, they just reacted and wanted to protect their business.

"I had a metal stick on the floor, I grabbed it and started hitting them but there were so many of them I didn't know what to do. I hit them all over here and there," Shimochi said.

The men ducked her swings and even tried to hit her with the plastic buckets they brought with them. Within 20 seconds she says they made off with more than $200,000 worth of pure gold chains.

Shimochi is convinced they would have gotten away with more if she didn't go on the defense.

"At the time I didn't know what I was thinking, I was just trying to hurt them. Hurt them, yeah," she said.

Another employee grabbed a mirror and was ready to swat the robbers away. Their moves may have worked, but police said they need leads to track the criminals down.

"They're all masked up and wearing gloves so we're asking anyone with information who might recognize the clothing they are wearing or their stature to call us," said Major Rick Rocco of the Lauderhill Police Department.

Shimochi said she's never been victimized like this in the 16 years she's been in business. With her display cases now empty, she is eager for arrests to be made.

"I want them to get caught so the other jewelry shop doesn't get robbed like me again."

Police do not encourage people to fight back in these circumstances. Major Rocco said if one of the suspects had pulled out a weapon the situation could have escalated and become much more violent.

If you know anything about this robbery, call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.

Contact Us