Employees at a jewelry shop in California beat up a “big-bellied bandit” who attempted a violent smash-and-grab heist over the weekend, according to reports.

The harrowing incident unfolded during business hours on September 2 in El Monte, a city in Los Angeles County.

A large black male identified by authorities as Joshua Lee Simmons, 36, approached Meza Jewelry and pepper-sprayed a worker sitting outside before charging in and smashing a display case with a hammer.

Footage captured by multiple cameras shows the ensuing melee as workers flew into action to defend their store from the masked marauder.

At least five people confronted the suspect, and one man can be seen beating the brute with a wooden pole as he tries to escape.

Eventually, the suspect breaks free and runs out of the shop, shirtless and maskless, before fleeing in a 2019 Dodge Charger.

“The family says the suspect was armed with a handgun and threatened to return and kill them,” ABC7 reports.

According to the latest available updates, authorities are searching for Simmons, who was out on bail in connection with a previous felony arrest.

InfoWars has been documenting the surge of crime across the United States, including ‘street takeovers,’ smash-and-grab loot mobs, and physical attacks on innocent victims.

Independent reporter Wid Lyman embedded with the Florida National Guard as they launched a rescue and relief operation in Cedar Key, where Hurricane Idalia made landfall as a Category 3 storm on August 30.

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