San Francisco shop owners fight hammer-wielding smash-and-grab robbers with sandwich sign

Homeowners of a digicam retailer in San Francisco fought off tried smash-and-grab robbers who started hammering show instances. 

“Swiftly, they pulled out a hammer and so they began making an attempt to smash the glass,” co-owner of the Chinatown digicam retailer, solely recognized as Sergio, instructed KPIX. 

Three youngsters reportedly walked into the shop on Grant Avenue after 3 p.m. Monday and inquired concerning the worth of a digicam. They left the shop, however returned half-hour later and tried to hammer show instances. 

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A lot of the instances, nevertheless, are manufactured from plexiglass and wouldn’t break. The suspects ultimately hit the highest of 1 show case, which was manufactured from glass, and shattered it. 

The assault quickly turned from breaking the show case to attacking Sergio and his co-owner, recognized by KPIX as Ariel. 

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“One of many guys up there may be making an attempt to hit my accomplice with a hammer,” Sergio instructed the outlet. “I run and I attempt to seize a bat that I’ve. Attempt to shield myself and my enterprise right here.”

A neighboring enterprise proprietor additionally helped combat off the robbers with a sandwich show board. That man was hit within the head with a hammer and required stitches, KPIX repored. 

“One of many guys, they put the pepper spray in my eyes,” mentioned Sergio. “The opposite man is making an attempt to hit me with a hammer and I’m making an attempt to guard myself.”

FILE – An individual crosses Grant Avenue in Chinatown in San Francisco, Thursday, March 25, 2021. By unanimous vote the San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Feb.1, 2022 authorised a decision apologizing to Chinese language immigrants and their descendants on behalf of the board and the town for its racist previous. (AP Photograph/Jeff Chiu, File)
(AP Photograph/Jeff Chiu, File)

The hammer assault and tried theft was over inside a minute and left the co-owners scared. 

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“We don’t know these individuals. They know the place we’re as a result of we can not take these things and go,” mentioned Sergio. “However now, I’m frightened. After this, I’m frightened and I’m scared – as a result of god forbid if they arrive again. Hopefully they not gonna come again. But when they arrive again with a gun, what occurs?”

The San Francisco Police Division mentioned the suspects fled in a automotive. Authorities are asking the general public to come back ahead with any recommendations on the suspects.

The San Francisco space has been plagued with smash-and-grab robberies and shoplifting in latest months. In one of the crucial high-profile instances final 12 months, a mob of about 80 individuals carrying ski masks and holding crowbars stormed a Nordstrom location in Walnut Creek, which is about 25 miles exterior San Francisco.

Authorities have laid blame for the spike in crimes on Proposition 47, which handed in 2014 and decreased shoplifting fees concerning the theft of $950 or much less from felonies to misdemeanors.