In what is being called the largest jewelry heist in U.S. history, federal authorities have identified and charged seven suspects involved in the theft of US$100 million worth of diamonds, emeralds, rubies, gold, and luxury watches from an armored truck near Los Angeles in July 2022.
The heist was carried out after the suspects stalked the armored vehicle for over 300 miles from an international jewelry show near San Francisco to a secluded freeway rest stop north of Los Angeles. The suspects made off with 24 bags from the truck, which was transporting 73 bags of high-value jewelry.
Two suspects — Pablo Raul Lugo Larroig and Jeson Nelon Presilla Flores — were arrested Monday and appeared in federal court Tuesday, charged with theft and conspiracy. Four remain at large, while a seventh suspect is currently serving time in Arizona for an unrelated burglary and is expected in Los Angeles court soon.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for California stated that some of the stolen items have since been recovered, although the majority remain unaccounted for.
The suspects are also linked to other robberies, including a $240,000 electronics theft in March 2022. According to the federal indictment, the group operated in a coordinated manner, with some members acting as lookouts while others forcibly entered trucks and threatened drivers.
The Justice Department emphasized the complexity and scale of the operation, describing it as a “highly organized criminal enterprise” that deliberately targeted high-value shipments with military-like precision.
As the investigation continues, federal officials are appealing to the public for any information that could help locate the four suspects still on the run.