IMAGE from surveillance video in jewelry store robbery in Huntington Beach.

Some thieves involved in a smash-and-grab robbery Sunday at a jewelry store in Huntington Beach got a lot more than they bargained for.

Four hooded suspects armed with hammers invaded the Princess Bride Jewelry in the Bella Terra shopping center in Huntington Beach at midday and began cracking up display counters filled with necklaces and other valuables.

But store employees counterattacked, using fists, feet – and in one case, a barstool – to drive the thieves away.

Sunday’s incident was the latest in a series of smash-and-grab attacks at jewelry stores in shopping malls. A similar attack took place recently at a Kay’s Jewelers in Brea Mall.

The suspects may have left with bruises and bumps, but they also were able to grab $7,700 worth of jewelry, according to Jennifer Carey, public affairs manager for the City of Huntington Beach.