Elderly San Jose jewelry store proprietor subjected to physical attack during break-in robbery incident

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A horrifying incident unfolded on Friday afternoon when an 88-year-old San Jose business owner was assaulted during a smash-and-grab robbery at Kim Hung Jewelry. The robbery was caught on video, with more than a dozen thieves involved.

The owner, who was not feeling well and had already packed up early for the day, was brutally attacked. One of the thieves intentionally slammed him to the floor to prevent him from intervening. As a result, the owner sustained injuries and was bleeding but seemed okay initially, with cuts and bruises.

The owner's niece was at the store minutes after the incident and was deeply concerned about his well-being. She thinks this may be the end of the road for him, stating that he is not coming back. Doctors confirmed that the owner had a stroke. He was released from the hospital and is currently recovering at home.

The front of the building was destroyed and is now boarded up. Most of the jewelry was already in the safe, but the damage to Kim Hung Jewelry is expected to cost the business more than $50,000.

On Sunday afternoon, about a dozen community activists were outside of Kim Hung Jewelry, advocating for change. Edward Escobar, the founder of the Coalition for Community Engagement, was among them. Escobar believes crimes against small businesses are all too common and many are never documented. He stated that small businesses cannot withstand these types of attacks.

What we're experiencing also is a lack of reporting of crime by business owners, especially small business owners, according to Escobar. He suggested that business insurance may be cancelled as a result of reporting crimes. Escobar believes that this lack of reporting only perpetuates the cycle of crime, as criminals are emboldened to continue their activities without fear of consequences.

The community is rallying behind the owner and his family during this difficult time. The incident has sparked calls for increased security measures and better support for small businesses in San Jose. The owner's niece expressed her gratitude for the outpouring of support and said that it gives them hope for the future.

Elderly San Jose jewelry store proprietor subjected to physical attack during break-in robbery incident