Group of 7 men charged with $100 million jewelry heist

LEBEC, CA – In a heist reminiscent of a Hollywood thriller, seven men have been charged with orchestrating the largest jewelry theft in U.S. history. The suspects allegedly stole $100 million worth of gold, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and luxury watches from a transport truck. The group is said to have followed the vehicle from a gem show in San Mateo to a truck stop in Lebec, California, before executing their plan.

The 2022 heist involved a sophisticated operation, with the suspects breaking into a Brink’s semi-truck while it was parked. They targeted high-end gems and watches being transported to Pasadena.

Arnold Duke, president of the International Gem and Jewelry Show, expressed relief at the news of the charges. “It’s the best news I could have ever dreamed of,” Duke said. The theft impacted 14 exhibitors and has been a significant blow to the community.

The value of the stolen items is under debate. Initial reports estimated the loss at over $100 million, but the rising value of gold could increase that figure by 30%. Some jewelers have filed lawsuits against Brink’s, claiming the company is underestimating the loss.

Brink’s contends that the contractual agreements with the jewelers list the merchandise’s value at $6.45 million. Legal analyst Steven Clark noted that Brink’s is likely to adhere to this contractual value in court.

In addition to the jewelry theft, several suspects are accused of stealing over $200,000 worth of Samsung electronics and $57,000 worth of Apple AirTags in the months leading up to the heist.

The investigation continues as authorities work to recover the stolen items. Meanwhile, the affected jewelers and the gem show community await further developments.