Robbers Target Long Beach Jewelry Store Armed With Pepper Spray
LONG BEACH (CBSLA.com) — Police are searching for three suspects accused of robbing a Long Beach jewelery store armed with pepper spray.
The robbery occurred at 1:47 p.m. Thursday at Rush A Fix Jewelry-N-Watch Repairs, located just a few blocks from the 710 Freeway on the 400 block of West Willow Street.
Police said an employee and a customer were doused with the burning chemical by three men who rushed in and smashed the display cases.
"It got the clerk to be incapacitated to the point that they were able to smash those display cases and then flee the scene," Long Beach Police Department Sgt. Aaron Eaton told KCAL9's Michele Gile.
Witnesses said one of the suspects wore a ski mask and all three suspects wore hoodies as they entered the small store.
A worker who chose to remain anonymous said he saw the trio seconds before the heist.
"The driver backed up the car and I noticed them rushing behind the building... next thing you know someone is screaming down here," the man said.
Witnesses said the suspects got into a waiting vehicle in the parking lot and took off eastbound.
The getaway car is described as a four-door silver vehicle, possibly a small SUV.
Neighbors said this is the second time this shop has been robbed recently.
