Westminster Jewelry Store Robbed 3rd Time In 2 Years

WESTMINSTER (CBSLA.com) — For the third time in two years, a Westminster jewelry store was the scene of a robbery with shots fired Thursday, but no one was injured.

A gun battle erupted between an employee and the robbers at Tick Tock watch and jewelry store at the Asian Garden Mall, 9200 Bolsa Ave., at 12:35 p.m., Westminster police Detective Alan Aoki said.

By the time officers arrived, the suspects had already gotten away, but left a trail of blood. The getaway car has been found and has been taken away as evidence.

No employees or witnesses were hurt.

The mall is a "heavy tourist magnet" and is "really secure and safe," but Tick Tock has been targeted twice before since July 2012, Aoki said.

The jewelry store's owner opened fire on a thief who fled the shop with an expensive watch on Sept. 13. And on July 30, 2012, the store's owner thwarted a takeover-style robbery when he shot one of two suspects in the head. The wounded robber survived the shooting.

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