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In a shocking display of audacity, four individuals from Chile captured their own illegal escapade as they broke into a Southern California jewelry store, resulting in a heist valued at several million dollars. The footage, which has recently been made public, even shows one of them cheekily flashing a peace sign during the crime.
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has released the incriminating video that documents the May 25, 2025, burglary at 5-Star Jewelry & Watch Repair located in Simi Valley. The footage depicts a suspect using a crowbar while holding a flashlight in his mouth, pausing momentarily to make a peace gesture toward the camera.
The group managed to escape with approximately $3 million in jewelry, watches, cash, and other high-value items, according to KTLA. The crime’s scale, surpassing $1 million in losses, has led to aggravated charges against the perpetrators.
Erik Nasarenko, the District Attorney, commented on the severity of the crime, stating, “The meticulous planning, surveillance, and sophistication demonstrated by these defendants necessitate their removal from society. Ventura County is resolute against organized burglary rings that treat our communities as easy prey. Those who partake in such activities will be met with severe repercussions.”
The individuals identified in this brazen act include Manuel David Ibarra, Camilo Antonio Aguilar Lara, Heidy Nickolt Trujillo, and Sergio Andres Mejía-Machuca. Their actions, captured on video, underline a bold disregard for the law, as they orchestrated a $3 million theft in a local Simi Valley jewelry store. (Image courtesy of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office)
The stolen goods were later taken to a home in Los Angeles County, where the suspects were arrested June 10 — some allegedly still wearing stolen jewelry when they were taken into custody, KTLA reported. The outlet previously spoke with store owner Jonathan Youssef, who said the burglary left his family-owned business devastated.
Authorities said the crew began orchestrating the burglary in mid-May 2025.
On May 16, one defendant allegedly stole rope from a Home Depot to use in the crime. Days later, three suspects drove a white Volvo SUV to the shopping center to conduct surveillance.
The storefront of 5-Star Jewelry & Watch Repair and neighboring Dr. Conkey’s Candy & Coffee in Simi Valley, Calif., where four Chilean nationals were accused of carrying out a multi-million-dollar burglary. (Ventura County District Attorney’s Office)
Investigators said two defendants observed the interior of the jewelry store through its front window, while the trio later entered the candy and coffee shop to assess surveillance cameras and inspect the shared wall between the businesses.
One suspect used a cellphone flashlight to examine the wall, another acted as a lookout, and a third mimicked using a spray can — allegedly indicating plans to disable security equipment.
On May 25, the crew returned in the same SUV, which contained a ladder and rope, authorities said.
A masked suspect is seen flashing a peace sign while holding a flashlight during a burglary at 5-Star Jewelry & Watch Repair in Simi Valley, Calif., according to video released by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. (Ventura County District Attorney’s Office)
One suspect placed the ladder against the candy and coffee shop, cut through the roof and entered the store. A surveillance camera was spray-painted and the store’s safe was opened, with cash stolen, prosecutors said.
The suspects then cut through a shared wall into 5-Star Jewelry, where they broke into another safe and stole jewelry, cash and silver before transporting the stolen property to a residence in Los Angeles County, prosecutors said.
Manuel David Ibarra and Camilo Antonio Aguilar Lara were each sentenced to four years and four months in Ventura County Jail. Heidi Nickolt Trujillo was sentenced to four years.
Sergio Andres Mejía-Machuca is set to be sentenced March 26.
All four defendants previously pleaded guilty to felony charges including conspiracy to commit commercial burglary and possession of stolen property. Two of the defendants also admitted to additional burglary and vandalism charges tied to a separate Simi Valley pawn shop break-in.
They also admitted special allegations that the crimes caused more than $1 million in losses and were carried out in a planned, coordinated operation, prosecutors said.
Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.
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