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`Case 5:21-cv-00635 Document 1-5 Filed 04/09/21 Page 1 of 13 Page ID #:13
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`JOHN T. RICHARDS, ESQ. (SBN 159875)
`John@jtrlawl .com
`EVAN WILLIS, ESQ. (SBN 314797)
`Evan@jtrlaw1.com
`RICHARDS WILLIS PC
`
`750 B Street, Suite 1760
`San Diego, California 92101
`T: (619) 237-9800
`
`Attorneysfor Plaintiff?
`
`3
`
`_
`FELHEHPf
`upggfllltyogf Rivergildgrma
`1I29/2021
`A. Flu ker
`Electronically Filed
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`SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
`
`COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE
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`TEMECULA GOLD AND JEWELRY;
`ALFY SHENOUDA,
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`Case No.: CVR|2100440
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`Plaintiffs,
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`COMPLAINT FOR:
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`ADT, INC., A California Corporation;
`PROTECTION 1, A California
`Corporation; and DOES 1 through 50,
`inclusive, W
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`1. BREACH OF CONTRACT
`2. UNJUST ENRICHMENT
`3' NEGLIGENCE
`
`Defendants.
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`
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`NM
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`NM
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`Case 5:21-cv-00635 Document 1-5 Filed 04/09/21 Page 2 of 13 Page ID #:14
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`Case 5:21-cv-00635 Document 1-5 Filed 04/09/21 Page 2 of 13 Page ID #:14
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`I.
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`JURISDICTION AND VENUE
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`1.
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`Venue and Jurisdiction is proper in this court as the tortious acts alleged herein all
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`occurred in the City of Temecula, in the County of Riverside, in the State of California. In
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`addition, all DEFENDANTS and/or DEFENDANT corporations are conducting business in the
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`City of Temecula, in the County of Riverside, in the State of California. Furthermore,
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`DEFENDANTS reside in the City of Temecula, in County of Riverside, in the State of
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`California. Lastly, the real property at issue is located in the City of Temecula, in County of
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`Riverside, in the State of California.
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`2.
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`PLAINTIFFS, and each of them, complain against ADT, INC., A California
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`Corporation; PROTECTION 1, A California Corporation; and DOES 1 through 50, inclusive
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`(hereinafter collectively “DEFENDANTS”), inclusive, as follows:
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`II.
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`PARTIES
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`3.
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`At all times relevant herein, TEMECULA GOLD AND JEWELRY; ALFY
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`SHENOUDA, (collectively “PLAINTIFFS”) owned and were operating a jewelry store and
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`business located at 27487 Jefferson Ave, Temecula, California 92590 (hereinafter “SUBJECT
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`PROPERTY”).
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`4.
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`DEFENDANT ADT, INC. is a California Corporation and security company
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`operating and doing business in the County of Riverside, in the state of California.
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`5.
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`DEFENDANT PROTECTION 1 is a California Corporation and security
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`company operating and doing business in the County of Riverside, in the state of California.
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`6.
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`At all times herein, DEFENDANTS, and each of them, were acting as agents,
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`Case 5:21-cv-00635 Document 1-5 Filed 04/09/21 Page 3 of 13 Page ID #:15
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`Case 5:21-cv-00Q35 Document 1-5 Filed 04/09/21 Page 3 of 13 ! Page ID #:15
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`7.
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`DEFENDANTS DOES 1 through 20, inclusive, are sued in this Complaint under
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`fictitious names. Their true names, capacities and involvement, if any, are unknown to
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`PLAINTIFFS. When their true names, capacities and involvement are ascertained, PLAINTIFFS
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`will amend this Complaint by inserting their true names and capacities herein. PLAINTIFFS are
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`informed and believe, and on that basis allege, each of the fictitiously named DEFENDANTS is
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`responsible in some manner for the occurrences alleged in this Complaint, that PLAINTIFFS’
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`damages as alleged in this Complaint were proximately caused by such DOE DEFENDANTS
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`and/or that such DOE DEFENDANTS have or claim some interest in or claim against the real
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`property described in this Complaint.
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`III.
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`GENERAL ALLEGATIONS
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`8.
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`At all times relevant herein, PLAINTIFFS owned and operated a jewelry stor
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`and business located at 27487 Jefferson Ave, Temecula, California 92590.
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`9.
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`At all
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`relevant
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`times herein, DEFENDANTS were under contract wit
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`PLAINTIFFS to provide PLAINTIFFS with security services for the jewelry store.
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`10.
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`DEFENDANTS are in the business of owning, operating, installing, maintaining
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`and/or providing security services and security systems for homes, commercial structures, an
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`businesses. In this case, DEFENDANTS sold and provided security services and a securi
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`system to PLAINTIFFS prior
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`to June 2019. The purpose of said security system 0
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`PLAINTIFFS SUBJECT PROPERTY was to deter, prevent, and/or mitigate damages in th
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`event of a break-in, robbery, theft, vandalism, or the like. This includes, but is not limited to
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`alerting the proper authorities for immediate dispatch to the SUBJECT PROPERTY in the even
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`of a break in.
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`Case 5:21-cv-00635 Document 1-5 Filed 04/09/21 Page 4 of 13 Page ID #:16
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`Case 5:21-cv-00635 chument 1-5 Filed 04/09/21 Page 4 of 13 Page ID #:16
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`)
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`11.
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`At all relevant times herein, DEFENDANTS were to provide security and
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`functioning security system to PLAINTIFFS for the SUBJECT PROPERTY for protection in th
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`event of a break-in, robbery, theft, or the like. Said security services include, but are not limite
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`to, alerting the authorities for immediate dispatch in the event of a break in, robbery, or theft. I
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`the event
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`that there is a break-in or robbery,
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`there is a silent alarm that
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`is supposed t
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`immediately alert authorities in the event of a break in and robbery.
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`12.
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`PLAINTIFFS business is a jewelry store which carries expensive, high-end item
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`such as gold, jewelry, diamonds, emeralds, and other previous metals. As such, it is more likel
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`to be a target for a break in, theft, robbery, and/or vandalism. As such, PLAINTIFFS contracte
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`with DEFENDANTS to provide security and security services to prevent and/or mitigate suc
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`events from occurring. DEFENDANTS knew that the purpose of their contract and providin
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`security and security services to PLAINTIFFS’ SUBJECT PROPERTY was to protect and/o
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`mitigate damages from an attempted break in, robbery, vandalism, theft, or the like. As such
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`DEFENDANTS knew, or should have known, that a proper, functioning security system wa
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`required for the SUBJECT PROPERTY.
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`13.
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`On or about July 14, 2019 there was a break in, robbery, and vandalism at th
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`SUBJECT PROPERTY. PLAINTIFFS suffered extensive property damage and destruction t
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`their business when DEFENDANTS’ faulty security system failed, allowing PLAINTIFFS t
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`suffer from a break in, robbery of valuables, and vandalism. Specifically, DEFENDANT
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`security and security system failed because the silent alarm failed, and DEFENDANTS failed t
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`alert the authorities for immediate dispatch as they are required to under their contract wit
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`PLAINTIFF S.
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`NH
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`Case 5:21-cv-00635 Document 1-5 Filed 04/09/21 Page 5 of 13 Page ID #:17
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`Case 5:21-cv-00635 , Document 1-5 Filed 04/09/21 Page 5 of 13 Page ID #:17
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`14.
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`Immediately prior to and during the July 2019 INCIDENT, DEFENDANT
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`security system broke down and/or failed. DEFENDANTS’ security system failed to alert th
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`authorities in the event of a break in which would have prevented, or mitigated, the vandalism
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`theft, and destruction of PLAINTIFFS’ business. Said failure was also a breach of contract f0
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`which PLAINTIFFS have been paying DEFENDANTS for. Authorities were not contacted b
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`DEFENDANTS, as contracted, under the July 2019 incident to prevent said INCIDENT.
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`15.
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`Immediately after the July 2019 break in, PLAINTIFFS alerted DEFENDANT
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`of the break in, robbery, and vandalism to the SUBJECT PROPERTY and their failure to ale
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`the authorities.
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`16.
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`After the July 2019 break in, DEFENDANTS came to the SUBJECT PROPERT
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`and maintained, operated, installed, and/or updated their security and security system on th
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`SUBJECT PROPERTY to prevent another such break in from occurring. DEFENDANT
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`guaranteed that, in the event of another attempted break in, that DEFENDANTS abide by th
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`terms of their contract with PLAINTIFFS, including, but not limited to, having a silent al
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`become triggered, and by alerting the authorities immediately for dispatch.
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`17.
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`After the July 2019 break in, and on or about February 24, 2020, PLAINTIFFS’
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`jewelry business was broken into and robbed again. Most, if not all, valuables in PLAINTIFFS’
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`business were subsequently stolen.
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`18.
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`Immediately prior to and during the February 2020 break in, DEFENDANTS
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`security system broke down and/or failed, again. DEFENDANTS security system failed to ale
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`the authorities, again, in the event of a break in which would have prevented, or mitigated, th
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`vandalism, theft, and destruction of PLAINTIFF8’ business. Said failure was also a breach 0
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`contract for which PLAINTIFFS have been paying DEFENDANTS for. Authorities were no
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`Case 5:21-cv-00635 Document 1-5 Filed 04/09/21 Page 6 of 13 Page ID #:18
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`Case 5:21-cv-00635 Document 1-5 Filed 04/09/21} Page 6 of 13 Page ID #:18
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`contacted by DEFENDANTS, as contracted, under the July 2019 incident
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`to prevent sai
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`INCIDENT.
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`19.
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`During the February 2020 break in, DEFENDANTS’ security services an
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`security system were not triggered, in part, because the vandals turned off the power to th
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`building. DEFENDANTS security system, for a gold and jewelry store containing expensive
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`high-end valuable jewelry, gold, and diamonds, and by which easily failed, in part, by having th
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`power turned off, is a grossly deficient and faulty security system that was installed, maintained
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`and/or operated below the standard of care by DEFENDANTS.
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`20.
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`PLAINTIFFS’ entire business was robbed and destroyed when DEFENDANT
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`security and security system failed to trigger the silent alarm and alert authorities multiple times.
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`PLAINTIFF8’ jewelry and monies were stolen, casings were broken, and the entire interior an
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`framework was destroyed.
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`21.
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`Because PLAINTIFFS’
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`entire business was burglarized and destroyed
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`PLAINTIFFS were unable to operate their business. PLAINTIFFS experienced a busines
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`interruption because of DEFENDANTS faulty security services and security system.
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`22.
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`As a result of the acts and omissions of DEFENDANTS, and each of their, lack o
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`maintenance, faulty operation, and/or inspection (or lack thereof) of their security syste
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`PLAINTIFFS business was robbed multiple times, and the contents contained inside wer
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`destroyed. In addition, the robberies and destruction which DEFENDANTS allowed to occu
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`caused extreme annoyance and discomfort, effecting PLAINTIFFS’ right to quiet enjoyment 0
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`property.
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`23.
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`Further, DEFENDANTS failed to properly maintain their security system, an
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`failed to mitigate damages by properly maintaining and/or operating their security system afte
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`Case 5:21-cv-00635 Document 1-5 Filed 04/09/21 Page 7 of 13 Page ID #:19
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`Case 5:21-cv-00635 Document 1-5 Filed 04/09/21 Page 7 of 13 Page ID #:19
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`the July 2019 break in. Instead, DEFENDANTS left the security system in an utter state of
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`disrepair prior to the February 2020 break in and robbery. DEFENDANTS knew of their securi
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`system was
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`in a state of disrepair and purposefully failed to notify PLAINTIFFS.
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`DEFENDANTS operation of their security services and security system caused damages t
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`PLAINTIFFS. PLAINTIFFS are entitled to damages as a result.
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`24.
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`As a result of DEFENDANTS allowing PLAINTIFF S to operate their business
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`with a defective and/or faulty security system in place, DEFENDANTS two break ins and
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`robberies occurred because DEFENDANTS security system, at a minimum, failed to trigger the
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`silent alarm and alert authorities of said break ins. Because of this, PLAINTIFF S business and
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`property were destroyed.
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`25.
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`DEFENDANTS, and each of them, are responsible and liable to PLAINTIFFS,
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`and each of them, for at least the following reasons:
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`(a)
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`Failing to properly manage and inspect their security system they
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`installed at PLAINTIFFS’ SUBJECT PROPERTY;
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`(b)
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`Failing to maintain, operate, and/or inspect their security system in a
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`manner that would allow PLAINTIFFS to avoid multiple break ins and robberies within a year
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`and/or mitigate damages by properly alerting the authorities;
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`(c)
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`Failing to maintain, operate, and inspect their security system according
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`to applicable and required Best Management Practices (“BMP’s”) to withstand vandals from
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`entering PLAINTIFFS’ business foreseeable break ins that could negatively jewelry store
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`owners;
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`(d)
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`Failing to have a proper maintenance plan and inspection regimen for their
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`security system at PLAINTIFFS business so as to prevent and/or mitigate break ins, robberies,
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`Case 5:21-cv-00635 Document 1-5 Filed 04/09/21 Page 8 of 13 Page ID #:20
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`Case 5:21-cv-00635 Document 1-5 Filed 04/09/21 Page 8 of 13 Page ID #:20
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`and vandalism.
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`26.
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`PLAINTIFFS suffered property damage, loss of use, and loss of business
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`income/profits substantially and proximately caused by DEFENDANTS, and each of them. The
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`inadequate and negligent ownership, management, maintenance, operation, and/or inspection of
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`their security and security system were deliberate choices made by DEFENDANTS. The cost to
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`properly maintain, operate, and inspect the security system is miniscule relative to the amount of
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`damage suffered by PLAINTIFF S.
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`IV.
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`FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION - BREACH OF CONTRACT
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`(ALL PLAINTIFFS vs. ALL DEFENDANTS)
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`27.
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`PLAINTIFFS repeat and reallege each and every allegation made above, fully
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`incorporating those allegations as though full set forth herein.
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`28.
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`There is a valid and existing insurance agreement between PLAINTIFFS and
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`DEFENDANTS whereby PLAINTIFFS would pay DEFENDANTS monthly and/or quarterly
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`installment payments for security and security services to their jewelry business.
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`29.
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`PLAINTIFFS performed under the agreement, yet DEFENDANTS did not
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`perform, and failed to provide PLAINTIFFS with the security and security system PLAINTIFFS
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`compensated DEFENDANTS for.
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`30.
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`DEFENDANTS breached the agreement by, inter alia, refusing to provide
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`PLAINTIFFS with properly functioning security and security system, whereby, at a minimum,
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`the authorities would be alerted and dispatched in the event of a break in and/or robbery.
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`31.
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`Under the terms of the contract, DEFENDANTS owed PLAINTIFFS a duty and
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`guarantee to provide PLAINTIFFS with security and security services in the event of a break in,
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`including, but not limited to, alerting and dispatching authorities in the event of a break in and/or
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`Case 5:21-cv-00635 Document 1-5 Filed 04/09/21 Page 9 of 13 Page ID #:21
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`Case 5:21-cv-00635 Document 1-5 Filed 04/09/21 Page 9 of 13 Page ID #:21
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`robbery to prevent and/or mitigate a robbery and damage to PLAINTIFF8’ jewelry store
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`business. DEFENDANTS did not provide any form of security services during the July 2019
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`break in or the February 2020 break in, nor were the authorities timely alerted that break ins and
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`robberies were alerted, as DEFENDANTS were obligated to under the contract.
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`32.
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`DEFENDANTS breached their contract with PLAINTIFFS by failing to
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`adequately provide security services, a functioning security system, and failing to alert the
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`authorities for dispatch in the event of an attempted break in and/or robbery as contracted.
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`33.
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`As a legal result of DEFENDANTS breach of contract, PLAINTIFFS have
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`suffered damages in excess of the jurisdiction of this court.
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`V.
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`SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION - UNJUST ENRICHMENT
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`(ALL PLAINTIFFS v. ALL DEFENDANTS)
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`34.
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`PLAINTIFFS repeat and reallege each and every allegation made above, fully
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`incorporating those allegations as though full set forth herein.
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`35.
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`DEFENDANTS were enriched by PLAINTIFFS paying a monthly and/or
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`quarterly fee to DEFENDANTS for security services and a security system for PLAINTIFFS
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`jewelry business which PLAINTIFFS never received.
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`36.
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`DEFENDANTS’ enrichment was at PLAINTIFFS’ expense, as PLAINTIFFS
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`provided monies to DEFENDANTS for the performance of DEFENDANTS security services
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`and security system and obligations under the terms of their contract, but DEFENDANTS neithe
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`performed their obligations nor returned the monies paid to PLAINTIFFS.
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`37.
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`It is unjust for DEFENDANTS to retain PLAINTIFFS monies for security
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`services and a security system which was never provided to PLAINTIFFS.
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`Case 5:21-cv-00635 Document 1-5 Filed 04/09/21 Page 10 of 13 Page ID #:22
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`Case5:21-cv-OO635 Document 1-5 Filed 04/09/21 Page 10 of 13 Page ID #:22
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`38.
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`For such unjust enrichment, PLAINTIFF S claim damages for reimbursement of
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`all funds paid to DEFENDANTS arising out of their contract and or payment for security
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`services and security system which was not provided to PLAINTIFFS. PLAINTIFFS seek
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`reimbursement for all fees paid to DEFENDANTS whereby they were unjustly enriched as
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`alleged herein.
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`VI.
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`THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION — NEGLIGENCE
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`(ALL PLAINTIFFS v. ALL DEFENDANTS)
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`39.
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`PLAINTIFFS repeat and reallege each and every allegation made above, fully
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`incorporating those allegations as though fully set forth herein.
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`40.
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`At all times relevant herein, PLAINTIFFS were operating their jewelry and gold
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`business at 27487 Jefferson Ave, Temecula, California on or about July 1, 2019.
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`41.
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`All all relevant times herein, DEFENDANTS were responsible for the
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`maintenance and operation of security services and security system at the SUBJECT
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`PROPERTY, including, but not limited to, alerting and dispatching the authorities in the event 0
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`a break in and/or robbery.
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`42.
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`At all relevant times, DEFENDANTS, and each of them, had a duty to apply a
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`level of care commensurate with and proportionate to the danger of maintaining, operating,
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`and/or inspecting their security services and security system at the SUBJECT PROPERTY.
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`43.
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`DEFENDANTS, and each of them, failed to take reasonable precautions to
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`protect PLAINTIFFS against the foreseeable risk of harm, including, but not limited to, a break
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`in and/or robbery, specifically created by their activities, including PLAINTIFFS and their
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`business.
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`Case 5:21-cv-00635 Document 1-5 Filed 04/09/21 Page 11 of 13 Page ID #:23
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`Case 5:21-cv-00635 Document 1-5 Filed 04/09/21 Page 11 of 13 Page ID #:23
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`requirements for their security services and security systems for businesses containing high-end
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`valuables such as jewelry, which require a heightened level of security, including heightened risk
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`factors that ajewelry store is more likely to suffer from a break in and/or robbery than the
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`average business which does not carry expensive precious stones. DEFENDANTS violated their
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`own standard of care by allowing their security services and security system to fail, and by
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`allowing two successful robberies to PLAINTIFFS business within a year, and by failing to
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`respond and/or dispatch authorities to prevent or mitigate damages of the break ins and robberies
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`to PLAINTIFFS business.
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`45.
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`DEFENDANTS, and each of them, were aware, or should have been aware, that
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`the standard of care for their security services and security system was, at a minimum, to have a
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`silent alarm and to immediately dispatch authorities to the business where said break in and/or
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`robbery was occurring. DEFENDANTS, while also having a contract to provide these services to
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`PLAINTIFFS, had a duty to provide said services to PLAINTIFFS as well. DEFENDANTS
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`failed to provide said services and acted below the standard of care.
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`46.
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`It was foreseeable that DEFENDANTS, by acting below the standard of care, and
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`by failing to property install, monitor, maintain, and/or operate their security services and
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`security system at PLAINTIFFS jewelry business would lead to a break in, robbery, and/or
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`vandalism. DEFENDANTS breached their standard of care to PLAINTIFF S.
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`47.
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`As a direct and proximate result of these breaches of standard of care,
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`DEFENDANTS caused reasonably foreseeable harm to PLAINTIFFS.
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`48.
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`The negligence of DEFENDANTS mentioned herein were each substantial
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`factors in causing PLAINTIFFS’ damages. DEFENDANTS failure to comply with their duty of
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`care proximately caused damage to PLAINTIFFS’ property and business, and caused
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`Case 5:21-cv-00635 Document 1-5 Filed 04/09/21 Page 12 of 13 Page ID #:24
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`Case 5:21-cv-006i35 Document 1-5 Filed 04/09/21 Page 12 of 13 Page ID #:24
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`PLAINTIFFS to incur additional out of pocket expenses, including, but not limited to, labor
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`costs, remediation fees, and special damages to be proven at trial.
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`49.
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`The negligence of DEFENDANTS mentioned herein were substantial factors in
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`causing PLAINTIFFS’ damages. DEFENDANTS failure to comply with their duty of care
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`proximately caused damage to PLAINTIFFS, and each of them, including but not limited to
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`mental anguish, discomfort, worry, anxiety, annoyance, and emotional and physical distress, all
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`to their general damage.
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`PRAYER FOR RELIEF
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`WHEREFORE, PLAINTIFFS, and each of them, pray for judgment against
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`DEFENDANTS, and each of them, in amount according to proof at the time of trial as follows:
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`The cost of repairing damaged and/0r destroyed property and/or replacement of damaged,
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`destroyed, and/or lost personal property according to proof;
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`Loss of the use, benefit, and enjoyment of PLAINTIFFS’ personal property;
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`Loss of wages and/or any related displacement and/or out of pocket living expenses;
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`All Special damages according to proof;
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`All General damages including but not limited to worry, grief, distress, annoyance,
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`anxiety, discomfort, and emotional damages according to proof;
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`Prejudgment interest from July 2019, according to proof;
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`Post judgment interest;
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`Loss of business income/business profits;
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`All reasonable costs of litigation;
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`10.
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`All monies paid to DEFENDANTS for which they were unjustly enriched;
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`Case 5:21-cv-00635 Document 1-5 Filed 04/09/21 Page 13 of 13 Page ID #:25
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`Case 5:21-cv-00635 Document 1-5 Filed 04/09/21 Page 13 of 13 Page ID #:25
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`10.
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`All costs of suit, including attorneys’ fees, appraisal fees, engineering fees, expert fees,
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`and all related fees incurred in proving PLAINTIFFS’ case and related reasonable litigation
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`costs;
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`11.
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`For such other and further relief as the Court shall deem just, all according to proof.
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`PLAINTIFFS DEMAND A TRIAL BY JURY.
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`Respectfully submitted,
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`Dated: January 15, 2021
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`RICHARDS WILLIS PC
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`By: fégggfiIQLkg
`
`T. RIC ARDS, ESQ.
`JO
`EVAN WILLIS, ESQ.
`Attorneysfor Plaintiffs TEMECULA GOLD AND
`JEWELR Y,‘ ALFY SHENOUDA
`
`RICHARDS WILLIS PC
`
`750 B Street, Suite 1760
`San Diego, California 92101
`T: (619) 237-9800
`
`