By Ritu Jha-
The robbery at one of the oldest Indian American-run jewelry stores located at El Camino Real in the city of Sunnyvale, California on Saturday, May 4, did shook the owner, however, he is hopeful the culprits will be caught as assured by the city.
Dzanh K. Le, Captain, Bureau of Special Operations, Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety told indica, the officers responded to the location at approximately 1:17 p.m. for the report of multiple suspects with tools stealing jewelry.
“Upon arrival, officers determined that approximately twelve suspects wearing masks and gloves forced their way into the business. The suspects were carrying sledgehammers and at least one suspect had a handgun. The suspects smashed the display cases and stole the jewelry. The suspects entered several vehicles and fled westbound on El Camino Real prior to the officers arriving. We currently do not have an official value of the items stolen. No suspects have been arrested in connection to this case. It remains under investigation. There have not been any robberies similar to this one in Sunnyvale in recent times,” Captain Le told indica.
Nitin Soni the owner of the store told indica that the city Mayor Larry Klein, police and councilman visited him after the incident. And that he addressed his concern that these robbers are not scared of law and order authorities.
Soni said, “We have insurance and we are back in business…such incidents are getting normal…but the world doesn’t end. They have assured they will catch the robbers and they are concerned about it,” Soni said, however, they showed concern about other small business owners.
He said cannot talk, “Police are doing their job and they will catch them and I do not want to put any pressure on them.”
Soni was in store when the robbers entered and reiterated the police will catch them.
Murali Srinivasan, Vice Mayor, city of Sunnyvale told indica, “He visited the shop and met Soni and his wife. The Public safety department is doing all the investigation so we are waiting for the report.”
“It’s really bad what happened,” Srinivasan told indica. The safety is diminishing and law and order has become very lenient and they are not prosecuting minor crime.
“But this is not a minor crime…the mob style and now coming in day time with guns,” Srinivasan said and added, “We for many years were the safest city.”
Srinivasan was concerned the robbers carried gun and even pointed at the owner. However, the best part no one was injured and I saw in the video there were customers. It was afternoon time and lot of cars and people around.
“The culprits were bold enough,” he said, “We are concerned.”
