Four people have been arrested in connection with a high-tech multi-million dollar burglary from a Ventura County jewelry store, which investigators say was the work of a Southern American burglary crew.
It was a shocking crime on May 25 in Simi Valley. Someone broke into a Simi Valley snack shop and then went through a wall to get into the adjacent jewelry store.
"To enter a business from a roof, to rappel down, to then drill another hole through one business to another, and then cut into a steel and metal safe, this has the hallmarks of a crew," said Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko.
The burglars stole $3.5 million in merchandise from Five Star Jewelry.
"They're doing their own casework on these businesses before they go in and commit their crimes," said Simi Valley Police Chief Steve Shorts.
But, Simi Valley Police detectives used surveillance video and other evidence to identify and arrest four Chilean nationals in the San Fernando Valley.
About $600,000 of the $3.5 million in stolen merchandise was recovered. Investigators say they found video of crew members casing the stores days before the burglary occurred.
Store owner Jonathan Youssef said they’re grateful the burglars were caught, and at least some of the items were recovered.
"It was the worst feeling in the world. I thought they had fled the country, or were hiding or something," said Youssef. "Getting something back is better than nothing."
Authorities say when the three men and a woman were arrested in the San Fernando Valley, some of them were actually wearing some of the stolen merchandise. The four pleaded not guilty to a series of charges from the burglary.
