Armed Guard Thwarts Jewelry Ram-Raid, Worker Critically Hurt

(IDEX Online) - An armed guard thwarted a ram-raid attack on a jewelry store in South Sacramento, California, that left a staff member critically injured.

A stolen vehicle was driven through the storefront of Chinna Jewellers at 4.30pm on 18 April, pinning the owner's elderly uncle, who worked at the store, to the ground. He remains in hospital with critical injuries.

Private security guard Alex Marchuk has been credited with deterring a gang of raiders who arrived at the moment of impact, carrying bags.

"When they saw me with a gun … they very quickly jumped again inside and they were running from here," Marchuk told the NBC‑affiliated news channel KCRA 3.

Edward Igoe, of the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, praised his actions and said: "That security guard absolutely thwarted this robbery from occurring."

No merchandise was taken, but the store suffered extensive damage.

Screen grab from surveillance video shows Marchuk (right) chasing off a suspect.