A would-be jewelry store thief is on the run after a thwarted robbery attempt with a broken BB gun inside a Southern California mall late last week, authorities announced.
The Feb. 12 incident, according to a news release from the Montclair Police Department, occurred around 7:45 p.m. at Fast-Fix Jewelry and Watch Repairs inside Montclair Place, located at 2079 E. Montclair Plaza Lane.
Investigators said a male suspect walked into the store with a small bag and placed it on a jewelry case display before immediately exiting the store, looking around and reentering the shop.
The man then pulled what appeared to be a handgun on an employee.
“The suspect demanded that the employee open the jewelry case,” the release stated. “The suspect raised the gun toward the employee multiple times and used a flashlight in his other hand to push the employee.”
A would-be jewelry thief was pushed out of the store and beaten with a chair during a thwarted robbery in Montclair Plaza on Feb. 12, 2026. (Google Maps)
The would-be robber eventually used the gun to shatter the glass case and attempted to grab merchandise on display. Police said the employee was able to push him out of the store where another unknown patron struck the suspect with a chair in an attempt to stop him.
Woman, 80, accused of killing family of 4 in California
“The suspect was able to flee and was last seen running westbound through the mall,” the release noted. “It is unknown at this time whether the suspect took any items.”
The gun used during the robbery attempt was recovered at the scene and determined to be an inoperable black BB gun that was also unloaded.
While the case remains under investigation, authorities are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the Montclair Police Department at 909-621-47771. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact the We Tip Hotline at 800-78-CRIME or leave tips online at www.wetip.com.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.