California Jewelry Heist
Share this @internewscast.com

(KTLA) – Seven people have been identified as the thieves who targeted a Brinks truck in Southern California three years ago, pulling off what officials say is “the largest jewelry heist in U.S. history.”

The July 2022 heist resulted in the theft of “approximately $100 million worth of gold, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and luxury watches,” the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release.

The jewelry was being transported from a jewelry show in San Mateo, California, to another in Pasadena, according to the DOJ. The theft occurred when the truck had stopped at a rest stop in Lebec, in Kern County, just north of Los Angeles County.

Some of the stolen jewelry was recovered by authorities earlier this month, the DOJ said.

California Jewelry Heist
This undated photo provided by the FBI shows a jewelry showcase displaying some of the jewelry that was taken during the robbery. (FBI via AP)

Seven people have been charged with with two counts of conspiracy to commit theft from interstate and foreign shipment and theft from interstate and foreign shipment, the DOJ said:

  • Carlos Victor Mestanza Cercado, 31, of Pasadena
  • Jazael Padilla Resto, aka “Ricardo Noel Moya,” “Ricardo Barbosa” and “Alberto Javier Loza Chamorro,” 36, of Boyle Heights and currently an inmate in Arizona state prison
  • Pablo Raul Lugo Larroig, aka “Walter Loza,” 41, of Rialto
  • Victor Hugo Valencia Solorzano, 60, of the Rampart Village neighborhood of Los Angeles
  • Jorge Enrique Alban, 33, of South Los Angeles
  • Jeson Nelon Presilla Flores, 42, of Upland
  • Eduardo Macias Ibarra, 36, of the Westlake neighborhood of Los Angeles

Of those seven, five people Mestanza, Padilla, Lugo, Valencia and Alban also face charges of inference with commerce by robbery and two counts of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, as well as “additional counts of theft from interstate and foreign shipment.”

In addition to the 2022 theft at the Lebec rest stop, “Mestanza, Padilla, Lugo, and Valencia are also alleged to have stolen $240,573 worth of Samsung electronics from an interstate cargo shipment in Ontario on March 2, 2022,” prosecutors said.

“Those same defendants, and Alban, allegedly then robbed a box truck driver of $57,377 worth of Apple AirTags,” the DOJ said. “One of the robbers brandished a knife and threatened the driver.”

Federal officials also alleged the crew tried similar break-ins on trucks in Fontana.

If convicted the suspects face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for each theft charge, five for each conspiracy charge and 20 for each robbery charge.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Seal Makes Daring Escape from Orcas by Leaping onto Photographer’s Boat

SEATTLE – An exhilarating encounter unfolded as a wildlife photographer, while on…

France Commemorates a Decade Since the Paris Attacks with Tributes to Victims

PARIS – A decade has passed since the coordinated terrorist attacks that…

Government Reopening: Key Details You Need to Know After Unprecedented Shutdown

The United States House of Representatives took a decisive step on Wednesday…

November Deer Crashes: Sullivan and Washington Counties Rank Among Tennessee’s Most Hazardous

In a recent announcement, the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) has identified Sullivan…

Tragic Collision: Truck Accident in South Korea Market Claims Lives and Leaves 18 Injured

SEOUL – Tragedy struck an outdoor market in Bucheon, a city near…

Korean Workers Resume Duties at Hyundai Site After Georgia Immigration Raid

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Following an immigration raid two months ago at Hyundai’s…

Get Your Holiday Ham: Pratt’s Now at Select Food City Locations!

ABINGDON, Va. — In time for the upcoming holiday season, Pratt’s renowned…

Unveiling the Dark Side: Nicolas Cage Transforms Jesus’ Youth into a Horror Masterpiece in ‘The Carpenter’s Son

LOS ANGELES – While the canonical Gospels were being transcribed and disseminated…

Greeneville Resident Admits Involvement in Disturbing Monkey Video Plot

A woman from Greeneville, Tennessee, has entered a guilty plea in federal…

Eastman Credit Union Grants Magical Disney Wish for Make-A-Wish Recipient: A Heartwarming Journey

In Kingsport, Tennessee, a heartwarming scene unfolded at Eastman Credit Union where…

British Commentator Sami Hamdi Considers Legal Steps Against US for Detention Incident

LONDON – Upon returning to the UK, British political commentator Sami Hamdi…

Can You Get in Trouble for Backing into a Parking Space in Florida? Trooper Steve Explains

ORLANDO, Fla. – Every week, News 6’s traffic safety expert, Trooper Steve…