Warning Shot Scares Off Nearly 20 Suspected Burglars From Anaheim Jewelry Store

An Anaheim jewelry store owner last week scared off a group of nearly 20 suspected burglars by firing a warning shot, police said.

The owner of Al-Amira Jewelry, 570 S. Brookhurst St., had finished talking with a customer around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, when five cars pulled into the parking lot and about 18 or 19 people got out and swung pickaxes and hammers at the door, said store manager Ameed Abdel.

Staffers hid in the office and called police while the owner, Abdel’s uncle, fired his pistol, which led the group to run away, Abdel said.

“Honestly, we were impressed with our security,” Abdel said.