Employees at a family-owned California jewelry store chose violence on Saturday and fought off a would-be thief with their fists, feet, and a long stick.

According to El Monte police, the attempted robbery took place shortly after 2 p.m. on Saturday at Meza’s Jewelry, when the suspect came in with a hammer and smashed a display case, using pepper spray on the employees.

The employees fought back.

“Me, my uncle and my dad were tugging him out,” an employee told KABC. “I was trying to defend my family because as you could see he was hitting my dad and my uncle.”

The employees punched the man, kicked him, whacked him with the stick, and pulled his shirt off before he could get out the front door. Then they chased him down the street as someone outside continued recording the incident.

The suspect got away, however, and some of the employees were treated for minor injuries.

Police are investigating.

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[Featured image: KABC screenshot]