18 hours ago
Four Suspects Arrested in $3 Million Heist at a Simi Valley Jewelry Store
Four Suspects Arrested in $3 Million Heist at a Simi Valley Jewelry Store originally appeared on L.A. Mag.
Four suspects, allegedly tied to a South American crime ring, were arrested and charged Friday for the theft of over $3 million worth of property from 5 Star Jewelry & Watch Repair in Simi Valley. Each defendant has been charged with four felony counts—two counts of conspiracy to commit commercial burglary and two counts of conspiracy to receive stolen property– for the May 25 heist of the family-owned store. Due to newly-voted proposition 36, the defendants will also face special allegations of excessive loss over $3 million, and theft or damage in concert with others, according to Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko's news footage captured three individuals in Dr. Conkey's Candy and Coffee shop, a store that shares a wall with 5 Star Jewelry, five days prior to the theft. Five days later, the suspects, described by police as a 'sophisticated burglary crew,' cut through the shared wall and entered the jewelry store where they allegedly broke into a safe and stole jewelry, cash, and other unspecified items.
'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,' Nasarenko said during the news of the items and cash have been recovered by the Simi Valley Police Department. Police report that this burglary crew may be connected to other robberies, but cannot provide further details, according to CBS News. The defendants are scheduled for an early disposition conference at Ventura County Superior Court on June 23 at 1:30 p.m. A preliminary hearing is set for June 26.
This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jun 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
