MILPITAS – A smash-and-grab robbery at a jewelry store inside the Great Mall in Milpitas created a panic among shoppers that there was possibly a mass shooting.
Three suspects walked into Diamonds by Chainary, smashed glass cases, and grabbed high-end jewelry, according to authorities. The mall was evacuated just before 8:00 p.m., moments before stores closed for the day.
Maharaj said that it could have been the sounds of glass breaking that prompted people to call in with reports of shots fired.
"Well, that's what the suspects are doing. They're shattering the glass and the display cases to get to the jewelry. So, again, as people are running out, people are posting things on social media saying there is an active shooter," Maharaj said. "And that's why the response you see here today are supervisors on scene called the San Jose Police Department, the Sheriff's Office, the California Highway Patrol."
Related
The three suspects have yet to be found.