An American tourist is facing up to 30 years in prison for a shocking armed robbery in which he allegedly battered a security guard on the head with a hammer.

Dale James West, 26, from California, had run out of money so reportedly disguised himself as a motorcycle delivery rider before storming into the store in downtown Da Nang, Vietnam, on Tuesday evening.

Donning a full-face helmet and green Grab jersey, he is said to have walked behind the shop's security guard and repeatedly him in the head with the weapon.

Footage shows how West then allegedly ransacked the display cases, stuffing his backpack with 830 million VND (31,511 USD) of jewellery as the bleeding officer screamed for help.

Several locals rushed over to shove an iron bar against the glass door entrance. However, West is seen in the video breaking free and jogging away. He then allegedly fled the scene on a rented motorcycle.

Major General Nguyen Huu Hop, director of the Da Nang Department of Public Security, deployed hundreds of officers to catch the suspect.

They scoured CCTV footage and sifted through hotel and motorcycle rental records in the area, soon identifying the American based on his physical features.

Police converged on West's apartment along Pham Tu Street and arrested him at 10:30 am local time on Wednesday.

Colonel Nguyen Ha Lai, Chief of the Da Nang Investigation Police Department, said the tourist was driven to commit robbery because his holiday funds had run out.

He said: 'Before making his move, the suspect thoroughly researched the area and chose the target shop. He brought along a metal chisel, a hammer, a disguise to cover his face, a backpack, and rented a motorbike, removing its license plate to avoid detection.

'At 7:45 pm on August 26, he drove to the jewellery store, used a hammer to control and injure the security guard, threatened the store staff, then smashed the glass case. He made off with 20 items.

'After fleeing, he changed his clothes, returned the motorcycle, and hid the stolen property in his apartment.'

Officers found the missing jewellery stashed away in the ceiling of his bathroom. They said all stolen goods have been returned to the jewellery store.

Authorities said West arrived in Vietnam in June 2025. Before his arrest, he was offering English lessons online to earn money.

Police said investigations were underway to determine if he had committed other crimes.

From the robbery alone, West said to be facing up to 15 years in prison while the attack on the security guard is up to 15 years. If he is convicted, the court can combine the sentences into a 30 year stretch behind bars.


(1 USD = 26,339.98 VND)