Four members of a burglary squad were taken into custody in connection with a jewelry store robbery that took place in Ventura County and was valued at $3 million.
The following individuals, all of whom are citizens of Chile, have been described as suspects by the District Attorney’s Office in Ventura County:
- 25-year-old Heidy Nickolt Trujillo
- In the year 31 Camilo Antonio Aguliar Lara
- The 27-year-old Sergio Andres Meji-Machuca
- 37 years old Manuel David Ibarra
On Cochran Street in Simi Valley, there is a family-owned shop known as 5 Star Jewelry & Watch repair. The burglary gang is accused of committing a scam that began in May and continued to the present day.
On the 20th of May, three individuals suspected of committing the crime came at the store in a white Volvo SUV. Two individuals began conducting surveillance and glanced inside the store via the front window.
In order to determine the whereabouts of any security cameras, they went into the Dr. Conkey’s Candy and Coffee store that was located next door. In addition to that, it is said that they examined the walls that are adjacent to the jewelry store.
The crew went back to the shopping complex on May 25 and carried a rope and a ladder with them, like they had previously done. According to the authorities, the robbers cut through the ceiling of the coffee shop in order to gain inside. They then positioned the ladder against the exterior of the building.
They were able to gain access to the safe of the establishment by drilling a hole through a wall that was shared by the jewelry shop and the coffee shop. As an additional measure to conceal the break-in, one of the suspects had also spray-painted a surveillance camera.
According to the prosecutors, the group broke into the jewelry store and made off with goods consisting of jewels, watches, cash, and valuables worth more than three million dollars. They made their escape from the area and brought the stolen jewels to a residence located in Los Angeles County.
As a result of the costly theft, the family who owned the store was beyond distraught. Jonathan Youssef, the proprietor, stated that his father had built the company from the ground up twenty-five years ago and had intended to retire soon before they lost everything they owned.
On the 10th of June, the four suspects were taken into custody. Several of them were apparently discovered wearing the stuff that had been taken. In addition to it, a stolen weapon was found. They were charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit commercial burglary as well as two counts of conspiracy to accept stolen items. Both of these charges were brought against them.
During a press conference held on June 13, Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko stated that the individuals in question were not juveniles who broke into a local business with the intention of obtaining a fast cash. They employed counter-surveillance methods, a foldable ladder, rope, and power tools to cut through a roof, burrow into a wall, and break a safe in order to steal millions of dollars worth of watches, jewels, cash, and other stuff. They were highly competent and smart professionals.
Despite the fact that the authorities have stated that there may be further cases related with the gang, they have not offered any additional specifics regarding those incidents.
The bail amount for each of the four accused is set at one hundred thousand dollars. They face a potential sentence of six to nine years in jail if they are found guilty as charged.
On June 23, they are set to appear in Ventura County Superior Court for a conference meeting regarding an early disposition. On the 26th of June, there will be a preliminary hearing.
