Blowtorch used in costly heist of Glendale family-owned jewelry store
A burglar who got away with a large amount of gold and valuables is believed to have caused an explosion while using a blowtorch to break into a jewelry store in Glendale earlier this week.
Bidrussian Jewelry owner Manail Bidrussian, whose family has operated the store for over four decades, said he knew something was wrong when he arrived Tuesday morning and noticed the lights were on.
Bidrussian says that despite his security system featuring a gate, heavy-duty locks, cameras and motion sensors, he found his shop had been ransacked. 'They came in through the top. We have to pay more attention to the outside of the building,' he said.
Video showed that the store's glass cases had been completely emptied, while desks and safes were destroyed.
The burglar used a blowtorch and is believed to have caused an explosion while cutting through a safe that contained gold, ammunition and guns. Bidrussian said a bomb squad had to come to the business to make sure it was safe following the break-in.
Bidrussian's wife estimates the burglars made off with about $2 million worth of valuables.
'It is with deep sadness that we share the heartbreaking news that the Bidrussian family's jewelry store—proudly rooted in the heart of Glendale for over 45 years—was the target of a devastating and highly organized burglary on Memorial Day weekend, in the early hours of Tuesday morning,' a post reads on a GoFundMe account to support the family.
A similar type of burglary occurred at 5 Star Jewelry & Watch Repair in Simi Valley on Sunday night.
In that heist, multiple suspects used a tool to cut through the roof of an adjacent coffee shop before stealing cash and merchandise from the jewelry store.
'I feel bad because this was my life, my retirement…they got everything we had,' said Jacob Youssef, who started the business 25 years ago. 'I don't know what to say…I'm 71 years old…I cannot rebuild what I did in my lifetime.'
Investigators have not confirmed any connection between the two burglaries.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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