Armed California jewelry store owner fends off smash-and-grab suspects

The owner of a California jewelry store fended off five smash-and-grab robbery suspects after he flashed his legally owned firearm, police said.

The man, identified by KTVU as Usman Bhatti, foiled the attempted theft at his store inside the Tanforan Mall in San Bruno at about 1 p.m. Jan. 21.

Bhatti, who has a concealed carry permit, drew his gun after one of the men cracked a display case and then threatened him with a crowbar, according to police.

After he pointed the firearm toward the would-be robber and yelled at him to stop, the crowbar-wielding suspect fled toward the food court, authorities said.

Another male suspect whipped out his own gun and aimed it at Bhatti, police said.

The owner trained his firearm toward the gun-wielding suspect, who subsequently ran away with his remaining cohorts.

No shots were fired during the attempted robbery and no injuries were reported.

Bhatti told KTVU that he had no other option than to pull out his gun.

“I’m not trying to be a hero or a macho man … it just happened very quick and I had no choice,” he told the outlet.