NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The owner of Dubai Jewelry on Nolensville Pike is dealing with the aftermath of a theft that could lead to the closure of his store, built over 15 years.

The incident, which unfolded in four terrifying minutes, left him in disbelief and fearing for his safety.

The owner, who chose to remain anonymous out of fear, received a shocking call from his employees at 10 a.m. Wednesday morning.

“They opened their shop and we saw that they were waiting for them to put all the gold in the safes once the operation was completed. They were about to get some rest when it happened,” he said.

According to the owner, two thieves entered the store, one of them carrying a bouquet of flowers and pretending to go through it. A third suspect then followed, using a screwdriver to block the door, preventing it from locking. The situation quickly degenerated, with employees reportedly being sprayed with mace and threatened at gunpoint.

“I feel very bad; my heart is broken. Very, very bad,” said the owner. The thieves made off with nearly $2 million in gold bars, rings and necklaces, putting their loot in trash bags.

This is not the first time Dubai Jewelry has been targeted. “I was targeted in 2022, and since then, we no longer see the police around. Unfortunately, it is only when we are targeted that we see the police around,” said the owner.

Although a security guard patrolled the parking lot, he reportedly did not learn of the theft until a few hours later.

The owner, frustrated by the lack of law enforcement presence, expressed concerns about safety despite the significant taxes and fees he pays. He says he wishes there were more patrols and law enforcement in the area to deter crime.

He fears that without the arrest of the suspects, his business will not survive.

“I’m done. They put me on zero balance. I’ll close the business if they don’t catch them,” he said.

Metro Nashville Police are actively pursuing leads in this case. Luckily, the store has security cameras covering every angle and access is tightly controlled with a buzzing system for customers.

However, the owner faces a major challenge: his insurance does not cover the losses, which increases the urgency of finding those responsible for the crime.

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Road trip to see some of our neighbors’ best Halloween decorations

We are just a few days away from Halloween. This year, Americans are expected to spend approximately $12 billion on candy, costumes and decorations. In recent years, it seems that more and more people are devoting themselves to decorating their homes. Forrest Sanders had the chance to visit several Midstate communities to check out some of these Halloween decorations.

-Lelan Statom