Armed Robbers Storm Azusa Pawn Shop, Break Employee's Nose

The group, armed with handguns, ordered employees to lie face down on the floor as they ransacked the business, police say

Three armed robbers stormed a pawn shop in Azusa, broke an employee's nose and made off with guns and jewelry, police said Sunday.

The robbers showed up just before 3 p.m. to a store in the 1000 block of West Gladstone Street, Azusa police said.

"I was angry and I was terrified," Azusa Pawn owner Christina Surface said of learning about the robbery. "Seeing this all over the news is going to hurt my business, but I'm doing it because I want them caught."

The group, armed with handguns, ordered employees to lie face down on the floor as they ransacked the business, police said. The robbers then pointed a gun at a worker as they ordered him to open a safe.

One of the robbers then kicked an employee in the face and broke the employee's nose, police said.

A father and his 6-year-old son entered the pawn shop during the robbery and were also ordered to get on the ground, police said. One of the robbers took the boy's iPod.

"They stole from a 6-year-old child that just happened to be in the store at the time," Surface said. "That's not OK."

Surface's brother has since given the child a new iPod, she said.

The group left with several handguns, rifles and a large amount of jewelry and fled in a dark colored SUV, possibly a Saturn, seen heading east on Gladstone Street, police said.

"I would never forgive myself if one of those (weapons) was used in a crime and someone was hurt," Surface said.

Surface said she does have insurance, but there are some items which are irreplaceable, including jewelry which belongs to her customers.

"One (customer) is an older lady, sweet as can be," Surface said. "I'm just hoping and praying her wedding set is still here. It was given to her by her deceased husband. That's not something I can replace and that kills me."

One robber was wearing a red hoodie sweatshirt and gray sweatpants; another wore a black hoodie sweatshirt and gray sweatpants. A third person was wearing a gray sweatshirt with a maroon hood and blue sweatpants, authorities said.

Anyone with information about the robbery is encouraged Azusa police at 626-812-3200. To remain anonymous, click on the ''Anonymous Tip'' logo at the top of the Azusa Police's website. The case number is 15-17324.

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