Four Chilean nationals, aged 27-38, recently appeared in court in Ventura County, California, facing charges of theft and property damage after stealing over 3 million USD in cash and precious metals from a jewelry store and an adjacent candy shop. The group meticulously filmed their entire heist, a video later discovered by authorities.
The sophisticated theft occurred on 25/5/2025. The two businesses, a jewelry repair shop and a candy store, are located side-by-side within a shopping center. The thieves gained entry by climbing onto the roof above the candy store's back bathroom. From there, they drilled through the candy store's wall to access the jewelry store, ultimately making off with over 2 million USD in cash and gold, with total stolen assets exceeding 3 million USD.
"These are professional thieves. They had a plan; they must have been monitoring our store," the store owner stated.
Authorities moved quickly, arresting all four members of the group just two weeks after the heist. The Ventura County district attorney revealed that all suspects are Chilean nationals and are allegedly connected to a South American theft organization.
"These were not teenagers breaking into a local store for quick cash, but sophisticated and skilled professionals, using anti-surveillance measures, ladders, ropes, and power tools to cut through roofs, tunnel through walls, and break open safes," the prosecutor emphasized.
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Evidence from the case. Photo: Ventura County DA |
Details of the planning emerged during the investigation. Authorities stated that 10 days before the theft, two defendants stole a rope from a supermarket. A few days later, on 20/5, three defendants were seen parking in front of the stores, initiating their observation of the jewelry store's interior.
On the day of the heist, 25/5, the group returned. They used a ladder to reach the roof, then cut through it to enter the candy store. Once inside, they sprayed paint on security cameras and stole cash from the store's safe before breaching the jewelry store.
The stolen assets were transported to a house in Los Angeles County. Police subsequently arrested the suspects and recovered many stolen items. Upon their arrest, some group members were found wearing stolen jewelry, while others carried stolen goods in their bags. The incriminating video recording the entire theft process was later discovered on a phone belonging to one of the suspects.
Three of the four defendants have since received sentences ranging from 4 years to 4 years and 4 months. The trial for the remaining individual has been postponed until 26/3.
Hai Thu (According to CBS, NYPost)
