Chinatown Jewelry Store Faces Closure After $250,000 Burglary
A storied jewelry emporium nestled in the heart of San Francisco’s iconic Chinatown faces an uncertain future following a devastating loss of a quarter-million dollars in a recent burglary.
The Incident: In the early hours of November 16th, culprits forcibly entered Long Boat Jewelry on Grant Avenue, swiftly absconding with an estimated $250,000 in valuables within a mere three-minute window, as per reports from the SF Chronicle.
Owner Rosita Young lamented that this marked the second assault on their establishment, the first occurring three decades prior.
This latest blow dealt a severe setback to the business, already grappling with the tumultuous challenges of enduring a two-year pandemic alongside its accompanying restrictions.
Merely days preceding the burglary, an attempted break-in saw one of the store’s windows shattered, though no items were taken, per NBC Bay Area. On the fateful night, the perpetrators further wreaked havoc, vandalizing the store’s gate, entrance, and fixtures.
Adding to the distress, just days later, another act of vandalism targeted their front window. The cumulative toll has left the proprietors contemplating the unthinkable—closing shop.
Young and her spouse now confront the daunting prospect of whether they can sustain operations beyond the expiration of their lease later this year.
“We’re a modest retail business, struggling to make ends meet,” Young expressed to the SF Chronicle. “Everyone here in Chinatown works tirelessly… But profits are scant… Many shops have already shuttered.”
Compounding their woes, the 78-year-old owner disclosed that their insurance provider, Bowie Insurance Group, has refused coverage, citing policy limitations that exclude nocturnal thefts unless the pilfered items were secured within a safe.
No arrests have been made thus far in connection to the vandalism or burglary, both of which remain subjects of active police inquiries.
Community Support: In a gesture of solidarity, San Francisco prosecutor and community advocate Nancy Tung initiated a GoFundMe campaign with the consent of the victims, aiming to rally support and salvage the imperiled enterprise.
“Amidst escalating violence targeting Asian American individuals and businesses, escalating expenses, and a downturn in tourism, our community, including individuals like Rosita and her spouse, are suffering,” the campaign’s page underscores. “Let’s rally behind this Chinatown institution, ensuring its resilience amidst the challenges of San Francisco.”
At present, the fundraising endeavor has garnered over $6,000 of its $25,000 target.
Union Square Under Siege: The burglary at Long Boat Jewelry preceded a spate of coordinated assaults on high-end retail establishments in San Francisco’s Union Square by merely three days.
Law enforcement reports indicate that at least ten establishments in Union Square, including Bloomingdale’s, Burberry, and Louis Vuitton, fell victim to the onslaught, as detailed by ABC7.
Of the nine individuals apprehended in connection to these incidents, five have been formally charged and have entered pleas of not guilty, according to KTVU.
The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) encourages anyone possessing pertinent information to reach out via the SFPD Tip Line at 415-575-4444 or by texting TIP411, prefacing the message with “SFPD.” Informants may elect to remain anonymous.