By Tam Nguyen, Nguoi Viet
WESTMINSTER, Calif. – Shots were fired Thursday afternoon at a jewelry store in the Asian Garden Mall during an attempted robbery, police said.
Police investigate the crime scene at Tick Tock Fine Watches & Jewelry in Westminster. Photo by Ngoc Lan/Nguoi Viet
The Westminster Police Department reported receiving multiple 911 calls about gunshots in the mall at 9200 Bolsa Ave. When they arrived, they found the shooting had taken place at Tick Tock Fine Watches and Jewelry in the Asian Garden Mall, also known as Phuoc Loc Tho. Police said two men believed to be African American were trying to rob the store when the gunshots rang out.
“At some point of the robbery, there were gunshots exchanged between the suspects and one of the employees of the store,” said Sgt. Cameron Knauerhaze of the Westminster police.
Police have not yet released information as to whether the store employee or the suspects fired the first shot. Police also could not confirm whether anyone was wounded in the incident, how many shots were fired or whether the suspects left with any merchandise.
The gunfire was contained to inside the store. Police said the suspects fled the store and ran to the parking lot, where witnesses reported that a vehicle, believed to be a van, was waiting, Knauerhaze said.
Santa Ana resident Hai Tran said he was in the mall when he saw two men he characterized as suspicious walk in the mall, dressed in all black. He said he left the mall to call 911 and heard two shots fired as he talked on the phone.
This is the second time the jewelry store was targeted for a robbery. The first time was in 2012, when the owner of the store shot the suspect. That suspect later was arrested.
The Westminster Police Department requests that anyone with information call the department at (714) 898-3311
