A longtime Arden-Arcade jewelry and watch repair shop is hanging by a thread after a Dec. 23 theft that its owner says cleaned out tens of thousands of dollars in merchandise. Hamid Sohrabi, who runs Alta Arden Watches & Jewelry Repair on Fulton Avenue, says thieves grabbed dozens of rings in a robbery he estimates cost him about $25,000. After that and a later masked attempt to force entry, he says he is afraid for his family's safety and struggling to cover rent and basic bills.
Security footage from inside the store shows two people walking in, grabbing items from the cases, and sprinting out, according to KCRA. The outlet reports Sohrabi puts the value of the missing jewelry at roughly $25,000, and that additional footage from days later shows three masked people trying, and ultimately failing, to force open the front door.
To keep the lights on and cover overdue rent, Sohrabi started an online fundraiser. His GoFundMe page details his family situation and, as of the latest update, shows about $690 raised toward a $1,200 goal. The campaign, created on Tuesday, ties his financial troubles directly to the robbery and asks for short-term help while detectives work the case.
String Of Thefts Has Arden-Arcade On Edge
This latest hit comes amid a run of retail and jewelry-targeted incidents reported along Arden-Arcade's commercial corridors, adding to a growing sense of unease among small business owners, according to CBS Sacramento. Recent coverage has highlighted smash-and-grab and armed attempts at several shops in the area, and owners say repeated losses are grinding down already thin margins.
"I have to think about their future," Sohrabi told KCRA, explaining that even if he felt the urge to intervene during a theft, he would not risk his life because he has two young children. He added that the financial hit, coupled with how slowly recovery is unfolding, has him seriously debating whether keeping the family business open is realistic.
The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, which handles property-crime investigations in unincorporated parts of the county, is asking anyone with information to come forward. Tipsters can call 916-874-TIPS (8477) or use the agency's online tip form. Detectives can review security footage and follow up on leads, and authorities are urging residents and nearby businesses to share any relevant video or observations with investigators.
