$100 Million in Jewels, Rolexes, and Rare Stones Stolen in What Officials Call the Largest Jewelry Heist in U.S. History

In a daring and methodically planned robbery, thieves made off with more than $100 million worth of jewelry in what federal authorities are calling the largest jewelry heist in U.S. history. The massive theft occurred in July 2022 from a Brinks armored truck in Southern California—and for three years, it remained an unsolved mystery with no witnesses, no injuries, and no clear leads.

Now, seven men have been formally charged in connection with the heist, which involved stolen Rolex watches, diamond earrings, emerald rings, gold chains, and even a rare lavender jade stone, all carried off in just a few minutes.

Federal prosecutors say the theft was so sophisticated, it appeared straight out of a Hollywood movie—except it was all too real.

A Robbery in the Shadows

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the group of suspects began tailing a Brinks semi-truck after it was loaded with high-value items following an international jewelry show in San Mateo, just south of San Francisco. Instead of acting immediately, the crew waited.

They followed the vehicle for 300 miles south until the truck stopped at a gas station in Lebec, a quiet rural area roughly 70 miles north of Los Angeles. Seizing their moment, the robbers struck while the driver and security guard were inside the station.

In total, they grabbed 24 of the 73 bags inside the truck, leaving millions more untouched. Authorities believe some members were stationed as lookouts, which may explain why they didn’t take the entire haul. The stolen loot included rings, necklaces, luxury watches, and an exceptionally rare lavender jade stone.

After the robbery, the thieves disappeared. Some even went as far as deactivating their cell phones to avoid detection, officials said.

Not Just One Job

The Brinks truck robbery was just one of several thefts linked to this same organized crew. Federal investigators have connected the group to multiple cargo thefts starting in early 2022.

The first documented crime occurred on March 2, 2022, when the group allegedly stole $240,000 worth of Samsung electronics from a parked truck in Ontario, California.

A second heist happened just days later on March 11. This time, they targeted a shipment of Apple AirTags en route from China to a Fontana warehouse. One of the suspects reportedly threatened a driver with a knife when he unexpectedly returned to his vehicle mid-theft.

Then, on May 25, 2022, they struck again—this time prying open a semi-truck carrying Samsung goods and escaping with $14,000 worth of products.

The jewelry heist in Lebec marked the crew’s most ambitious job, and according to federal prosecutors, their tactics were refined and deliberate.

How They Were Caught

Investigators relied heavily on technology to unravel the complex case, especially cell phone data—even though the suspects had deactivated many of their numbers following the theft.

Surveillance footage from the Flying J truck stop in Lebec, coupled with information gathered from victims and careful analysis of vehicle movements, played a critical role in piecing together the events and identifying the perpetrators.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jena MacCabe credited the painstaking efforts of investigators. “It was an accumulation of careful work—surveillance analysis, interviews, cell phone tracking, and vehicle identification—that brought the suspects into the spotlight,” she said.

Search warrants executed on June 16 led to the recovery of some of the stolen jewelry, though prosecutors have confirmed that less than half of the total amount has been located. The remainder is still being tracked.

As for what the men did with the spoils of the heist? MacCabe said there’s no evidence of lavish spending—yet. “We’re still investigating what they may have done with the money and the items. It’s not clear whether the goods were sold, hidden, or still in their possession,” she noted.

Who Are the Accused?

The seven individuals now facing federal charges include:

• Carlos Victor Mestanza Cercado, 31, of Pasadena, California
• Jazael Padilla Resto, 36, currently incarcerated in Arizona under various aliases including Ricardo Noel Moya and Alberto Javier Loza Chamorro
• Pablo Raul Lugo Larroig, 41, of Rialto, California
• Victor Hugo Valencia Solorzano, 60, of Los Angeles
• Jorge Enrique Alban, 33, of Los Angeles
• Jeson Nelon Presilla Flores, 42, of Upland, California
• Eduardo Macias Ibarra, 36, of Los Angeles

The charges against them include two counts of conspiracy to commit theft from interstate or foreign shipment and theft from such shipments. Five of the men face additional counts of conspiracy and robbery affecting commerce.

Mestanza, Padilla, Lugo, Valencia, and Alban face a maximum sentence of 20 years, while Flores and Ibarra could receive up to 15 years in prison. Padilla remains in an Arizona prison for a separate burglary case.

Federal officials have not yet disclosed which of the suspects were in the country legally, only noting that their immigration statuses varied.

A Cautionary Tale

The stolen jewelry had been entrusted to Brinks by jewelers attending a California trade show and represented the work and investment of dealers from across the country. The case not only highlights the vulnerabilities in transporting high-value goods but also the lengths to which organized theft rings will go to avoid detection.

As authorities continue their investigation and work to recover more of the missing valuables, this case serves as a stark reminder of how even the most secure systems can be outmaneuvered by carefully orchestrated crime.

Stay tuned to Buzzmotto for further developments as more information is expected to be released in the coming months.