Security Guard Hurt While Chasing 5 Men Trying To Rob Rowland Heights Jewelry Store
ROWLAND HEIGHTS (CBSLA.com) — A security guard was injured Monday while chasing off a group of masked men who tried to rob a Rowland Heights jewelry store.
Five suspects wearing all black tried to hold up Hing Wa Lee Jewelers at 1569 S. Fairway Drive at about 3:07 p.m. with automatic weapons, according to Lt. David Buckner of the Los Angeles County sheriff's Walnut Station.
Jeff Jacobs said he was in the underground parking lot below the jewelry store when he saw the suspsects running up the stairs, firing their guns. "I saw the security guard with a shotgun in his hand," Jacobs said. "I hear a very loud boom, like a noise I've never heard before."
Two armed security guards stationed outside the front door. They fired back.
Owner, David Lee, said a gun battle outside the store scared the would-be robbers off. "I think the object was to take the guards out. They didn't get shot at but they were close. The guards were saying they heard the bullets flying close to their head."
Five customers were in the store at the time. Fortunately, no one was hurt.
One of the security guards, who did not want to be identified, hurt his knee when he jumped a flight of steps while chasing the suspects who took off running.
The jewelry store owner turned over to police a security video in which the men were seen removing their masks as they ran toward their getaway vehicle - a white 2000 Chevy Impala.