Chilean burglary crew filmed themselves during $3M SoCal jewelry heist, caught wearing loot: DA

Four Chilean nationals filmed themselves arsenic they smashed done the extortion and walls of a Southern California jewelry store during a brazen, multi-million-dollar burglary — adjacent flashing a bid motion astatine the camera mid-crime, recently released video shows.

"The planning, surveillance, and sophistication progressive successful this lawsuit required the defendants’ removal from society," District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said. "Ventura County volition not tolerate organized burglary crews that dainty our communities similar targets. If you prosecute successful this benignant of conduct, you volition look important consequences."

The suspects, from left: Manuel David Ibarra, Camilo Antonio Aguilar Lara, Heidy Nickolt Trujillo and Sergio Andres Mejía-Machuca. Prosecutors said the 4 Chilean nationals filmed themselves during a $3 cardinal burglary astatine a Simi Valley jewelry store. (Ventura County District Attorney's Office)

The stolen goods were aboriginal taken to a location successful Los Angeles County, wherever the suspects were arrested June 10 — immoderate allegedly inactive wearing stolen jewelry erstwhile they were taken into custody, KTLA reported. The outlet antecedently spoke with store proprietor Jonathan Youssef, who said the burglary near his family-owned concern devastated.

Authorities said the unit began orchestrating the burglary successful mid-May 2025.

On May 16, 1 suspect allegedly stole enactment from a Home Depot to usage successful the crime. Days later, 3 suspects drove a achromatic Volvo SUV to the buying halfway to behaviour surveillance.

ORGANIZED SOUTH AMERICAN CRIME GROUP BURGLARIZES OVER 60 HIGH-END HOUSTON-AREA HOMES TARGETING DESIGNER GOODS

The storefront of 5-Star Jewelry & Watch Repair and neighboring Dr. Conkey’s Candy & Coffee successful Simi Valley, Calif., wherever 4 Chilean nationals were accused of carrying retired a multi-million-dollar burglary. (Ventura County District Attorney's Office)

Investigators said 2 defendants observed the interior of the jewelry store done its beforehand window, portion the trio aboriginal entered the candy and java store to measure surveillance cameras and inspect the shared partition betwixt the businesses. 

One fishy utilized a cellphone flashlight to analyse the wall, different acted arsenic a lookout, and a 3rd mimicked utilizing a spray tin — allegedly indicating plans to disable information equipment.

On May 25, the unit returned successful the aforesaid SUV, which contained a ladder and rope, authorities said.

MASSIVE LUXURY HANDBAG HEIST CAUGHT ON CAMERA AS HEAVILY ARMED POLICE SWARM CALIFORNIA STORE

A masked fishy is seen flashing a bid motion portion holding a flashlight during a burglary astatine 5-Star Jewelry & Watch Repair successful Simi Valley, Calif., according to video released by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. (Ventura County District Attorney's Office)

One fishy placed the ladder against the candy and java shop, chopped done the extortion and entered the store. A surveillance camera was spray-painted and the store’s harmless was opened, with currency stolen, prosecutors said.

The suspects past chopped done a shared partition into 5-Star Jewelry, wherever they broke into different harmless and stole jewelry, currency and metallic earlier transporting the stolen spot to a residence successful Los Angeles County, prosecutors said.

Manuel David Ibarra and Camilo Antonio Aguilar Lara were each sentenced to 4 years and 4 months successful Ventura County Jail. Heidi Nickolt Trujillo was sentenced to 4 years.

Sergio Andres Mejía-Machuca is acceptable to beryllium sentenced March 26.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

All 4 defendants antecedently pleaded blameworthy to felony charges including conspiracy to perpetrate commercialized burglary and possession of stolen property. Two of the defendants besides admitted to further burglary and vandalism charges tied to a abstracted Simi Valley pawn store break-in.

They besides admitted peculiar allegations that the crimes caused much than $1 cardinal successful losses and were carried retired successful a planned, coordinated operation, prosecutors said.

Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send communicative tips to [email protected].

Related Article