Masked robbers pepper-spray Pasadena jewelry store owner and employee during $500,000 heist

A Pasadena jewelry store is regrouping after three masked robbers broke in on Tuesday, Aug. 29 and stole expensive merchandise, authorities said.

RELATED COVERAGE: Task force established to deter smash-and-grab thefts

The Pasadena Police Department responded to a call for a robbery at Jewels on Lake, a jewelry store at 415 S. Lake Avenue, at around 1:45 p.m.

Investigators found that while the store’s owner was escorting a patron out, three men wearing masks ran inside and pepper-sprayed the owner and another employee before breaking display cases and stealing what police believe to be over $500,000 worth of jewelry, Pasadena Police Lt. Monica Cuellar said.

The owner and the employee were treated by paramedics at the scene.

The men fled the scene in an unknown-type white vehicle, according to police. There were no suspects in custody, and the investigation was ongoing.