Dec 4, 2025
When thieves armed with hammers stormed a Sherman Oaks jewelry store in September, they expected an easy score. Instead, they ran into a pane in the glass.
A group of suspects stormed Kristof’s Jewelers at the Westfield Fashion Square mall armed with large hammers. They smashed at his glass displays again and again, but the reinforced panels wouldn’t budge. The crew fled empty-handed.
Advertisement
Smash-and-grab thefts aren’t something new, but some businesses are finally fighting back. Ray Tissan, owner of RT Unbreakable Glass in Southern California [1], says he was thrilled to learn his product helped prevent a robbery.
He never designed his glass with jewelers in mind. Instead, he launched the business after experiencing multiple burglaries at his own shops.
“There were a lot of break-ins back then, at liquor stores and small shops, especially,” he told KTLA’s Rick Chambers.
Could this product be the beginning of the end for smash-and-grabs across America?
One material could make a difference
Tissan says what sets his glass apart is the way he customizes each sheet to fit a client’s needs, whether that’s a jewelry case, a storefront window or something entirely different. The material can be adapted for use across a wide range of industries.
And it may have arrived at the right moment. Jewelry store robberies are on the rise nationwide.
In San Jose, more than a dozen thieves recently stormed a shop, smashing display cases and stealing jewelry before violently assaulting the 88-year-old owner.
Advertisement
"He is OK, (but the) business is not OK. Everyone knows that situation right now. Every business is in danger," a family friend told ABC 7 News [2]. Locals estimate the losses at $50,000 to $100,000, excluding the owner’s medical bills.
Theft has become one of the costliest challenges facing U.S. businesses. According to Capital One Shopping [3], retailers lost $45 billion to theft in 2024. Those figures include not only stolen merchandise but also property damage and lost revenue. That can devastate small and mid-sized businesses that don’t have the same buffers as national chains.
California has been hit hardest, with $8.72 billion in losses last year alone.
In Chicago [4], six men were charged in connection with a daytime smash-and-grab at a Rolex boutique. Armed with hammers, three of the suspects shattered large holes in the store’s windows before grabbing five watches valued at $170,000.
Must Read
- Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake — here’s what it is and the simple steps to fix it ASAP
- Robert Kiyosaki begs investors not to miss this ‘explosion’ — says this 1 asset will surge 400% in a year
- Vanguard reveals what could be coming for U.S. stocks, and it’s raising alarm bells for retirees. Here’s why and how to protect yourself
Join 250,000+ readers and get Moneywise’s best stories and exclusive interviews first — clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now.
Safeguarding your storefront
The unbreakable glass is starting to pop up everywhere in Southern California, not just in display cases, but on storefront doors, windows, even walls and ceilings. Store owners say the investment feels worth it as retail thefts continue to rise across the region. For Tissan, watching his invention keep businesses safe has been deeply rewarding.
“It makes me feel so good,” Tissan said.
For small businesses, a single smash-and-grab can wipe out months of revenue. While Tissan’s glass is one option, some others can help you with a layered defense, including
Advertisement
- Strengthening the storefront by installing reinforced glass, roll-down gates and visible cameras. That makes it harder for thieves to get in and easier for law enforcement to identify them.
- Checking your coverage: A strong insurance policy that accounts for both inventory loss and property damage can make the difference between reopening quickly or closing for good.
- Tapping into the community: Many cities have merchant watch groups that share information and coordinate with local police. Joining forces can deter thieves from targeting the same areas again.
While no solution is foolproof, layering protections can reduce the risk of devastating losses and keep your doors open.
Article sources
At Moneywise, we consider it our responsibility to produce accurate and trustworthy content that people can rely on to inform their financial decisions. We rely on vetted sources such as government data, financial records and expert interviews and highlight credible third-party reporting when appropriate.
We are committed to transparency and accountability, correcting errors openly and adhering to the best practices of the journalism industry. For more details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
[1]. KTLA 5. “Southern California man’s unbreakable glass foils smash-and-grab robbers targeting jewelry store”
[2]. ABC 7. “Caught On Video: 88-year-old store owner assaulted during brazen smash-and-grab heist in San Jose”
[3]. Capital One. “Retail Theft (Shoplifting) Statistics”
[4]. Fox 32 Chicago. “6 men charged after $170K Rolex store smash-and-grab in downtown Chicago”
You May Also Like
- Turning 50 with $0 saved for retirement? Most people don’t realize they’re actually just entering their prime earning decade. Here are 6 ways to catch up fast
- This 20-year-old lotto winner refused $1M in cash and chose $1,000/week for life. Now she’s getting slammed for it. Which option would you pick?
- Warren Buffett used these 8 repeatable money rules to turn $9,800 into a $150B fortune. Start using them today to get rich (and stay rich)
- Here are 5 easy ways to own multiple properties like Bezos and Beyoncé. You can start with $10 (and no, you don’t have to manage a single thing)
Victoria Vesovski is a Toronto-based Staff Reporter at Moneywise, where she covers the intersection of personal finance, lifestyle and trending news. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto, a postgraduate certificate in Publishing from Toronto Metropolitan University and a Master’s degree in American Journalism from New York University’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. Her work has been featured in publications including Apple News, Yahoo Finance, MSN Money, Her Campus Media and The Click.
