Caught On Tape: Pistol-Packing Jewelry Store Owner Fires Back At Robbery Suspects

GARDEN GROVE (CBS) — Police have released surveillance tape of five masked suspects they say tried to rob a Garden Grove jewelry store just before closing last Thursday.

Officials say the suspects were surprised to see the owner fight back.

She pulled a pistol on the would-be robbers and fired away.

The attempted robbery was caught on tape.

Reporting for CBS2 and KCAL9, Serene Branson said the bullet holes at the Continental Jewelry and Pawn on Brookhurst are still visible.

Five men walked into the store wearing masks, some wore hoods. At least two of the men were armed with guns.

Lt. Jeff Nightengale of the Garden Grove police department said three of the men were also carrying pillow cases. “They demanded everyone get down on the ground. They asked for valuables inside the store,” Nightengale said.

Seconds later, Yorkie Banks, the store’s 65-year-old owner, decided to take matters into her own hands.

Banks grabbed a handgun she keeps in the store and fired two rounds at the suspects. “She felt her life was in jeopardy. She felt it was appropriate action to protect those people in the store,” Nightengale said.

Branson reports the suspects literally fell over themselves trying to flee.

The men fled in a white SUV.

Banks declined to be interviewed, says Branson.