Seven Men Charged In 'Largest Jewelry Heist In US History'

In what federal authorities are calling the largest jewelry heist in U.S. history, seven men have been charged with stealing over $100 million worth of diamonds, Rolex watches, emeralds, and other valuables. The heist occurred in July 2022 when the suspects followed a Brinks semitruck from an international jewelry show in San Mateo, California, to a rest stop in Lebec, north of Los Angeles.

The thieves, described as professional and organized, stole 24 bags of jewelry without a single witness. The suspects were meticulous, acting as lookouts and deactivating their cellphones to cover their tracks. Despite their efforts, federal investigators used cellphone data and surveillance footage to identify and charge the suspects.

The defendants, all from Southern California, include Carlos Victor Mestanza Cercado, Jazael Padilla Resto, Pablo Raul Lugo Larroig, Victor Hugo Valencia Solorzano, Jorge Enrique Alban, Jeson Nelon Presilla Flores, and Eduardo Macias Ibarra. Two of the men were arrested and appeared in federal court, while others remain at large or are serving time for unrelated charges.

The stolen goods belonged to jewelers from various states and were part of a larger series of thefts by the group, including electronics and other valuables. Some of the jewelry has been recovered, but the whereabouts of the rest remain unknown. The suspects face charges of conspiracy to commit theft and interference with commerce, with potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison.