Four people from Chile have been arrested and charged after a daring burglary at 5 Star Jewelry & Watch Repair in Simi Valley, California, where more than $3 million worth of jewelry and valuables were stolen on Memorial Day.
According to Los Angeles Times, the suspects—Manuel Ibarra (38), Camilo Lara (32), Sergio Mejia-Machuca (27), and Heidy Trujillo (26)—are believed to be part of an international theft ring. They now face four felony charges: two counts of conspiracy to commit commercial burglary and two counts of conspiracy to receive stolen property.
Surveillance video showed three of the suspects scouting the jewelry store days before the break-in. They examined possible entry points, security cameras, and even pretended to spray-paint over one of the cameras.
Then on May 25, the group broke into a candy store next door through the roof. Using ropes and ladders, they lowered themselves inside, disabled cameras, and spent hours cutting a hole in the wall that led to a 5,000-pound safe. They stole jewelry, gold, cash, and heirlooms belonging to customers.
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced the charges during a press conference held in front of the store on Friday morning.
The owners of the store, Jacoub and his son Jonathan Youssef, were devastated. Jacoub, who has run the business for 25 years, was planning to retire just days after the burglary. Now, their future is uncertain as they try to recover from the massive loss.
