After Incident Local Improvement Council Starts Go Fund Me
In shocking footage captured by a security camera, an Oakland jewelry store owner is seen cowering in terror as a gang of armed robbers invaded her store, smashing glass counters and ransacking her stock.
The incident, which took place on Wednesday, is being called the worst robbery in over four decades for the family-owned business. According to ABC7 News, Diane, the 69-year-old owner, and another woman can be seen desperately ducking for shelter as the eight hammer-wielding suspects clad in black broke into Phuong Jewelry in Oakland’s Chinatown.
Within seconds of entering the store, the masked group began smashing their hammers into the glass counters, while Diane and the other woman tried to grab whatever they could from the top of the displays. The terrified women could be heard screaming for help as the robbers continued to ransack the store. However, in a heart-stopping moment, Diane and the other woman decided to make a run for the nearest exit, which was left unguarded by the busy robbers.
The store’s security footage then shows the robbers grabbing bags and stuffing them with jewelry while continuing to smash the glass counters. At this point, Diane, who is watching the chaos unfold from inside a corner, is overcome with fear, as she is concerned about the safety of her husband and staff. Then, out of nowhere, a man in a red shirt appears with a firearm in hand and begins chasing the robbers, forcing them to flee the store. The man was identified as Diane’s 76-year-old husband, who bravely intervened to protect his family’s store.
8 armed suspects ransacked the legacy Oakland Chinatown business Phuong Jewelry yesterday at around 12:30.
The family tells me, in less than one minute 85-90% of their inventory was taken.
Watch as owner Diane runs to the back & gets her 76-year old husband. He storms out… pic.twitter.com/JSmFDL960j
— Dion Lim (@DionLimTV) April 12, 2024
Tony Trinh, Diane’s son, told the news site that the family has been robbed before, but never to this magnitude. He added that he was worried sick about his parents’ safety during the ordeal. According to reports, the robbers managed to grab around 85-95% of the store’s stock, causing a massive loss for the family-owned business. Tony also shared that his mother was devastated while his father was broken by the incident. Despite the horror they faced, Diane is determined to reopen the store and continue serving the community.
The community of Oakland and the Oakland Chinatown Improvement Council have stepped forward to support the family by setting up a GoFundMe page to help them recover from the loss incurred by the robbery. Meanwhile, the Oakland Police Department is actively investigating the case and urging anyone with information to come forward. This incident is just one of the many crimes that Oakland has faced in recent years, causing concern and fear among its residents.
DailyMail.com revealed that several popular restaurants in Oakland have had to close their dining rooms due to the spike in crime in the area. Taco Bell, a popular fast-food chain, has now become a drive-thru-only restaurant in Oakland, with four out of five locations displaying signs that read, ‘DINING ROOM CLOSED’.
The owner of one franchise is even considering closing the restaurant altogether if the security situation doesn’t improve. In January, a nearby Denny’s fast-food diner was also forced to close due to the violence. In February, it was announced that Oakland’s only In-N-Out Burger restaurant would be shutting down after 18 years due to safety concerns for customers and staff.
According to sources in the Oakland Police Department, Taco Bell’s recent struggles are reflective of the dire state of the city. The source stated that robberies have increased by a staggering 38% from 2022 to 2023 and that it is a sad reality that customers can no longer enjoy dining inside restaurants due to the high crime rate.
The source also added that the lack of support for law enforcement from elected officials and the sympathy shown towards criminals is creating a ‘doom loop’ for businesses in Oakland. As the crime rate continues to spiral, the source believes that it is the responsibility of the entire community to come together and help reduce crime in order to create a safe and prosperous environment for everyone.