Posted on 01/31/2022 10:00:13 AM PST by Mr. Mojo
SAN BRUNO, Calif. - A legally armed jewelry store owner in San Bruno thwarted a smash-and-grab robbery attempt by five men at his shop, authorities said.
The incident happened Friday around 1:06 p.m. at Maaz Jewelers, which is located inside the Tanforan Mall, police said.
Authorities said five men who appeared to be in their teens or early 20s approached the store and one of them entered with a crowbar.
Store surveillance video shows the suspect using the crowbar to smash a jewelry display case when the owner, Usman Bhatti, comes up and tries to pull the suspect away.
Officers said the suspect then raised the crowbar as if he was going to hit the shop owner.
That's when the Bhatti, who has a concealed carry permit, pulled out a gun and pointed it toward the suspect while yelling for him to stop, police said.
The suspect then ran out of the store when a second suspect, who was part of the group and standing near the entrance of the store, pulled out a gun and pointed it at Bhatti.
Authorities said the store owner raised his firearm again and pointed it at the man with the gun.
The suspect ran toward the group and all the suspects fled toward a department store where they managed to getaway.
The store owner never fired his weapon during the incident and neither did the suspect who was armed with a gun.
"I’m not trying to be a hero or a macho man..it just happened very quick and I had no choice," Bhatti told KTVU.
Nice story, but there’s one critical thing missing. Well, maybe two things
Surely he can be charged with brandishing a weapon or some such.
Should have fired.
Those rascally teens again.
Also, even in California, you don’t need a permit to carry on your own property, at least it used to be that way.
This guy probably has a permit for his bank runs.
No worries. The DA is writing up charges at this very moment. How dare the shopkeeper threaten one of Obama’s sons?
I understand it isn't easy, and perhaps he lacked the training and self-confidence to fire?
Will it stop others? Only if he shot him and that would last only for a little while. You need a lot of them at once for the word to get around.
Remember President Duarte gave authority for people to kill drug dealers? Many publicly quit the business as the Bernie Goetz element took over. Would the end justify the means? Let’s just say people get the government they deserve.
“Legally” armed? So, how can you not be “legally armed” if you are standing in the middle of your own business?
Or the Mall kicks out him and his store for endangering customers.
Was the jewelry store owner arrested? Seems about the new norm would mandate the arrest!
He had every reason to fire on perp 2. My 2 cents.
He didn't get it out in time to brandish. He needs a better carry system or a lot more practice retrieving his weapon.
Don’t ever pass up an opportunity to thin the herd of Feral Animals.
The victim is always at fault in CA.
Property very likely isn’t his.
Most stores lease their space.
So, it’s a legally complex question as to whether he’s got the full latitude basis being “on his own property” and considering possible terms of his lease.
He might as well have fired and killed both of them and done society a favor, he’s going to be in court anyway.
They will return with vengence.
The owner should have killed at least the two that were armed.
Perhaps it's: I understand it isn't easy, and perhaps he lacked had the training and self-confidence to not fire?
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