Christmas shopping can be stressful, especially if you don’t have (or aren’t willing to fork over) the money for the merchandise you really want…merchandise like very expensive time pieces. That was apparently the situation in a southern California jewelry store just before Christmas when a couple of browsers decided to use non-monetary means to speed the shopping process.
According to KTLA . . .
The failed crime unfolded shortly before 11 a.m. at Vana Watch and Jewelry, at Mission Street and Fremont Avenue, the South Pasadena Police Department said in a written statement. The owner was working at the business, along with his nephew.
Two men entered the store and asked to look at Rolex watches, Sgt. Tony Abdalla said. The owner asked them to provide ID first.
Apparently the owner’s Spidey senses were already tingling.
One of the two men then demanded the workers turn over all the store’s Rolex watches, Abdalla said. One of the would-be robbers pulled a knife and attempted to stab the owner, he said.
“All of a sudden, this guy pulls a knife out of his pocket, and he lunges at me,” store owner Jean Boujekian told KTLA. “I blocked the knife. Luckily, I didn’t get any scratches.”
“Luckily, my nephew was really quick. He pulled out the gun,” Boujekian said.
Much confusion ensued, as you can see in the video above. And we certainly wouldn’t recommend an un-armed store owner chasing a couple of armed would-be hold-up men out into the parking lot. Still, all’s well that ends well.
Although he ended up unharmed, Boujekian said he wouldn’t advise others to fight back against a robber.
“In hindsight, I probably would have never tried to do that. I have three kids,” he said. “It could have gone really wrong. It wasn’t worth it.”
Another successful defensive gun use brought to you by your Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. Even in California.
Oh, and the two Rolex admirers are still on the loose (we hope the store owner snapped pics of those IDs). If you’ve seen either of them, give the South Pasadena PD a call at 626-403-7280. And have a safe and happy new year.