Four members of a highly professional burglary crew have pleaded guilty to a massive jewelry store robbery. The crew consisted of four Chilean nationals who targeted a family-owned shop in Simi Valley.
The heist took place in late May 2025 at 5 Star Jewelry and Watch Repair. The investigation revealed that the group spent weeks carefully planning the operation.
On May 20, the suspects were caught on camera performing surveillance. They even entered a candy and coffee shop next door to inspect shared walls and find the best entry point.
The actual robbery occurred on May 25. The crew used a ladder and rope to climb onto the roof of the coffee shop. Once inside, they drilled through a wall to reach the jewelry store's safe.
One member spray-painted a security camera to hide their movements. They escaped with over $3 million in high-end watches, jewelry, and cash.
The theft was a devastating blow to the business owners. Jonathan Youssef, the owner's son, said his father had built the business from the ground up and was nearing retirement.
Simi Valley police arrested the four suspects in early June 2025. Some of the individuals were found wearing the stolen jewelry at the time of their capture.
On January 21, 2026, the defendants admitted to their roles in the crime. They pleaded guilty to felony conspiracy and possession of stolen property.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 20, 2026. The defendants face at least four years in state prison and remain in custody on $100,000 bail.
Transparency notes
Published: Jan 22, 2026. No major post-publication update has been logged.
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