Smash and grab heist sparks outrage and call for change in the Bay Area

SAN JOSE, Calif. (NBC, KYMA/KECY) - A brazen smash and grab heist at a San Jose jewelry store sparks outrage and a call for change across the Bay Area.

An 88-year-old store owner was assaulted during the heist.

It happened in seconds as surveillance video captured what appears to be a well choreographed attack as a car backs into Kim Hung Jewelry Friday afternoon, and more than 15 people jump out of three vehicles.

Inside the store, thieves wearing hoodies masks and caps smash glass cases and snatch jewelry

At one point, a suspect pushes down the 88-year-old store owner and he cuts his feet on his broken glass.

His niece found him outside the store minutes later.

"Oh my God, it's all blood. It's all blood," the niece expressed.

She says her uncle was taken to the hospital where doctors also confirmed he had a stroke. He was released from the hospital, but his niece says after four decades in the jewelry business, the owner is so traumatized, he may never return to his business.

"I don't think he's coming back. Absolutely no," the niece spoke.

His son was also inside during the robbery and was not hurt.

The family and community leaders are demanding change to crack down on smash and grabs.

"This is very scary. Every small business and their livelihood of the family depends on income from the stores," said Liang-Fang Chao, Mayor of Cupertino.

"It's a huge problem that we have everywhere. We need to get Prop 36 funding. The governor was supposed to do it and he needs to do it quick," said Carmen Montano, Mayor of Milpitas.

Voters overwhelmingly approved Prop 36 in 2024. It allows felony charges and increase sentences for certain drug and theft crimes.

The law went into effect in December of last year, but community leaders say the governor needs to adequately fund the new efforts to to better protect small businesses from thieves.