Clerk Fights Off Armed Suspect at California Jewelry Store

Surveillance video captures dramatic confrontation as clerk defends her family's business from smash-and-grab robbery.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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A store clerk at a jewelry shop in Montclair, California fought back against an armed robbery suspect who entered the store and demanded she hand over jewelry and valuables. Surveillance footage shows the clerk, Alin Ouhan, struggling with the masked suspect as he smashed a display case and grabbed merchandise. Despite being threatened with a handgun and stun gun, Ouhan fought back and was able to prevent the suspect from stealing more items before he fled the scene.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the risks and challenges faced by small business owners, especially those in the retail and jewelry sectors, which have seen an increase in brazen smash-and-grab robberies in recent years. The clerk's courageous actions to defend her family's store also raise questions about how far employees should go to protect their workplaces, and whether more needs to be done to improve security and deter such crimes.

The details

On February 12, 2026, a masked suspect entered the Fast-Fix Jewelry and Watch Repairs store at the Montclair Place mall just after 7:30 p.m. The suspect pretended to browse around before suddenly charging behind the jewelry counter towards the clerk, Alin Ouhan. The suspect was allegedly armed with a handgun and a stun gun, and demanded that Ouhan hand over diamond rings and jewelry while telling her to keep quiet. As the suspect began smashing a display case and grabbing jewelry, Ouhan fought back and grabbed the weapon, engaging in a physical struggle with the robber. Ouhan continued to grab and hit the suspect as they grabbed more jewelry before the suspect ultimately fled the store.

  • The incident occurred on February 12, 2026 at around 7:30 p.m.

The players

Alin Ouhan

The store clerk at the Fast-Fix Jewelry and Watch Repairs store who fought back against the armed robbery suspect.

Fast-Fix Jewelry and Watch Repairs

The jewelry store located in the Montclair Place mall where the incident took place.

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What they’re saying

“I was scared, but I had to do something, you know? I was by myself.”

— Alin Ouhan, Store Clerk (KTLA)

What’s next

The Montclair Police Department is investigating the incident and asking anyone with information on the suspect or the case to call 909-621-4771.

The takeaway

This brazen robbery attempt and the clerk's courageous response underscore the challenges small business owners face in protecting their livelihoods, and the need for improved security measures and deterrents to combat the rise in smash-and-grab crimes targeting retail and jewelry stores.