Four Chilean nationals filmed themselves breaking into a Southern California jewelry store, even posing for the camera and later taking the stolen goods to their apartment, law enforcement officials revealed.
The crew documented their own crime, breaking through Dr. Conkey’s Candy and Coffee Shop in Simi Valley broke into to gain access to a safe at Five Star Jewelry and Watch Repair on the other side, according to the The Ventura County Prosecutor’s Office.
The video released by the district attorney’s office shows the perpetrators using a crowbar before sorting through more than $3 million worth of stolen watches, bracelets and other jewelry in their LA County apartment. At one point, a crew member even reveals his entire face to the camera.
“The planning, surveillance and sophistication involved in this case required the removal of the suspect from society,” Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said in a statement. “Ventura County will not tolerate organized burglary crews treating our communities as targets.”
Manuel Ibarra and Camilo Lara were each sentenced to four years and four months in prison, while Heidi Trujillo is serving a four-year prison sentence. The fourth defendant, Sergio Andres Mejía-Machuca, will be sentenced in March, according to the Public Prosecution Service.
The thieves conducted surveillance of the area prior to the burglary, looking for cameras and inspecting the adjacent wall connecting the candy and jewelry store to gain access to the safe. law enforcement officials said.
Five days later, on May 25, 2025, they returned with a rope, ladder and other tools for the robbery, gaining access to the building through the roof before breaking into the safe.
When arrested and taken into custody on June 10, some burglars were carrying the stolen jewelry, while others carried the merchandise in bags. CBS News reported.
