When at least five masked men broke open the jewelry case and began grabbing gold chains, Lauderhill store owner Insuk “Sue” Shimochi said instinct and her feisty nature took over.
As security cameras recorded the heist at Immanuel Jewelry in the Lauderhill Mall, Shimochi grabbed a metal rod she keeps behind the counter and started swinging.
“Oh, I hit them many times,” said Shimochi, 58. “I didn’t know what I was thinking. I just got to protect my merchandise.”
Surveillance footage shows a man walking through the front door of the store, 1315 N. State Road 7, about 4 p.m. Saturday and pulling out a hammer from under his shirt.
Before store employees could stop him, the man smashed the display glass and his team of thieves rushed into the store.
As the robbers reached into the display cases, the video shows Shimochi grabbing the stick and swinging it. One of the robbers hit her with a blue plastic bin, then used ithe container to collect the jewelry.
Shimochi said the thieves made off with an estimated $200,000 worth of gold chains and ornate, oversized charms.
The suspects, all wearing gloves, ran from the store. No one was injured during the robbery, police said.
Authorities ask anyone with information about the robbery to call Det. Derek Carseni at 954-497-4700 or contact Broward Crime Stoppers, anonymously, at 954-493-8477 or browardcrimestopper.org. Tipsters can also text LPD to 8477411 along with the information.
, 954-356-4544 or Twitter @EmilyBethMiller
