Jewelry store owner pepper sprayed in Pasadena smash-and-grab robbery

Pasadena police are searching for the thieves that ransacked a jewelry store and pepper sprayed its owner Tuesday afternoon. 

The smash-and-grab robbery happened in the 400 block of S. Lake Avenue just before 1:50 p.m. The suspects also stole personal items from a customer. 

The owner of Jewels on Lake, Sam Bibikiam, said that the store's doors remain locked until he presses a button. He believes that the suspects staked his place out and waited until he held the door open for a client who was leaving.

"As soon as I opened the door for the client to go out they pepper sprayed me right in front of the door," he said. 

Bibikiam said all of the jewelry in his shop is custom-made. According to the Pasadena Police Department, the thieves made off with $500,000

"I make all my jewelry," he said. "Every piece that I make, I put in the showcase is a part of me. I've been a jeweler for 48 years. I make them all special."

Bibikiam added that he never thought his store would be the site of the smash-and-grab robbery.

"It's hard to see it's gone," he said. "I don't know what my future holds. I don't know what I will do tomorrow."

According to the Pasadena Police Department, the robbers were wearing ski masks and gloves. They hopped into a getaway car and drove away before police arrived.