California men charged in 'largest jewelry heist in US history'
Share this @internewscast.com


() Seven men from Southern California have been arrested and charged in what is being described as the “largest jewelry heist in U.S. history.”

The following men are accused of breaking into a Brinks semitruck holding $100 million worth of gold, diamonds, luxury watches and precious gemstones that were in transport from an international jewelry show near San Francisco:

  • Carlos Victor Mestanza Cercado, 31
  • Jazael Padilla Resto, 36
  • Pablo Raul Lugo Larroig, 41
  • Victor Hugo Valencia Solorzano, 60
  • Jorge Enrique Alban, 33
  • Jeson Nelon Presilla Flores, 42
  • Eduardo Macias Ibarra, 36

The indictment charges the men with two counts of conspiracy to commit theft from interstate and foreign shipment and theft from interstate and foreign shipment. Padilla, Mestanza, Lugo, Valencia, and Alban are also charged with two counts of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act) as well as additional counts of theft from an interstate and foreign shipment.

According to the indictment, on July 10, 2022, Mestanza, Lugo and Alban spotted the truck leaving the jewelry show containing 73 bags of jewelry. From that evening until the morning of July 11, the men all followed the truck for 300 miles from the jewelry show in San Mateo to a rest stop in Lebec, a town north of Los Angeles.

When the truck stopped in Lebec, they broke into the truck and stole the 24 bags with $100 million worth of jewelry.

If convicted, Mestanza, Padilla, Lugo, Valencia, and Alban face up to 20 years in federal prison for each robbery charge, and all the men charged would face a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for the theft conspiracy charge and 10 years in federal prison for each theft charge.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Superman or ‘Superwoke’? New DC Movie Faces Backlash from Right-Wing Critics

Superman came to Earth as a refugee from a dying planet and…

Riverview Daycare Shuts Down Earlier Than Planned, Leaving Parents Feeling ‘Cruelty’ and ‘Disregard’

RIVERVIEW, Fla. (WFLA) — Amazing Explorers Academy was scheduled to shut down…

Individual Charged with Child Sexual Assault at Colorado Water Park

Editor’s Note: This story contains discussions of child abuse that may be…

US Imposes Sanctions on UN Official for Alleged Political Actions Against Israel

President Trump’s administration is sanctioning Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur…

Community Gathers for Vigil Honoring Texas Flood Victims on Tuesday Evening

AUSTIN (KXAN) Dozens of University of Texas at Austin students and community…

Rescuers Hunt for Missing Crew after Red Sea Incident; US Suggests Yemen Rebels Could Be Involved

DUBAI – Search efforts continued on Thursday for over twelve crew members…

Pana Resident Caught with Over 100 Grams of Methamphetamine

PANA, Ill. (WCIA) — A 38-year-old Pana man was arrested on Tuesday…

Tragic New Mexico Flash Floods Claim 3 Lives and Destroy Home

() Heavy monsoon rains that hit southern New Mexico and triggered a…

Witness a Simulated Rocket Launch Test at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – When witnessing a rocket launch on Florida’s Space…

Polygraph Results on Gary Coleman’s Ex-Wife Regarding His Death Remain Unclear

() Shannon Price, Gary Coleman’s ex-wife, is back in the spotlight after…

South Carolina Attorney General Raises Alarm About Increasing Organized Crime Activity in Prisons

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) – On Tuesday, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson,…

Southern California Bishop Lifts Mass Attendance Requirement Amidst Immigration Concerns

LOS ANGELES — Bishop Alberto Rojas of San Bernardino, guiding over 1.5…