Employees Chase, Lose Robbers of Cardiff Antique Jewelry Mart

Four robbers were pursued by armed employees of a Cardiff jewelry store Tuesday but escaped, a sheriff’s spokesman said.

The men walked into the Antique Jewelry Mart at 1933 San Elijo Ave. about 10 a.m. Tuesday and told the employees, “This is a robbery,” said sheriff’s Sgt. Joseph Canchola. The robbers, two of whom carried handguns, took coins and jewelry from display cases, he said.

The men fled to a waiting car when a burglar alarm was activated by an employee, Canchola said. As the robbers drove off, two store employees armed themselves and gave chase, he said. One employee fired several shotgun rounds into the air, and another reportedly fired a rifle at the retreating car, Canchola said.

The loss to the jewelry store was undetermined Tuesday.

The suspects were described as black, all tall and slender and all dressed in dark clothing and ski masks. The car they used, a 1983 gray Buick Regal, had been reported stolen from the Los Angeles area, Canchola said.