Four individuals linked to a burglary ring have been apprehended following a $3 million jewellery store robbery in Ventura County.
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has identified the suspects, all of whom are Chilean nationals, as follows:
- Heidy Nickolt Trujillo, 25
- Camilo Antonio Aguliar Lara, 31
- Sergio Andres Meji-Machuca, 27
- Manuel David Ibarra, 37
Starting in May, a group of burglars is alleged to have orchestrated a plot aimed at 5 Star Jewellery & Watch repair, a family-run establishment located on Cochran Street in Simi Valley.
On May 20, a trio of suspects made their entrance at the store in a white Volvo SUV, as two individuals carried out surveillance, intently gazing through the front window.
Upon entering Dr. Conkey’s Candy and Coffee shop next door, they began to evaluate the positioning of any surveillance cameras present. Reports indicate that they conducted an inspection of the walls adjacent to the jewellery store.
On May 25, the crew made their way back to the shopping plaza, equipped with a ladder and rope. Authorities reported that the ladder was positioned against the coffee shop’s exterior while the thieves breached the roof to gain access.
A hole was drilled through the shared wall connecting the coffee shop and jewellery store, providing access to the safe within the store. A suspect was caught spray-painting a surveillance camera in an attempt to conceal the break-in.
Authorities reported that a group looted a jewellery store, making off with more than $3 million in jewellery, watches, cash, and other valuables. The suspects made a swift getaway, transporting the stolen jewellery to a residence in L.A. County.
A family store has been left reeling after a significant theft. Owner Jonathan Youssef revealed that a quarter-century ago, his father established the business from scratch and was on the verge of retirement when they faced a devastating loss of all their possessions.
Four suspects were taken into custody on June 10. Reports indicate that several individuals were discovered adorned in the pilfered goods. A firearm reported stolen has been recovered. Authorities have filed charges against them for two counts of conspiracy related to commercial burglary and two counts concerning the receipt of stolen property.
These were not teenagers burglarizing a local business to score quick cash,” Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said during a June 13 news conference. “They were sophisticated and skilled professionals who used counter-surveillance measures, a collapsible ladder, rope, and power tools to cut through a roof, tunnel into a wall, and breach a safe to take millions in watches, jewelry, cash and other merchandise.”
Officials indicated that there could be more cases linked to the group, yet no further information was disclosed regarding those occurrences.
Each of the four suspects is currently detained with a bail set at $100,000. Should they be found guilty of the allegations, a prison sentence ranging from six to nine years could await them.
An early disposition conference is set to take place in Ventura County Superior Court on June 23. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 26.
