7 foreign nationals charged in multi-million-dollar Glendale jewelry heist

7 nationals arrested in major Glendale jewel heist

Seven foreign nationals were arrested for stealing millions from a Glendale jewelry store burglary in May.

GLENDALE, Calif. - Seven foreign nationals were charged with burglarizing two jewelry stores, stealing over $1 million in jewelry from a Glendale jewelry store and disabling 911 and internet service to more than a million homes during an attempted break-in at another store in La Verne. 

Timeline:

On Tuesday, May 27, Glendale police officers responded to a burglary at Bidrussian Jewelry, located at 1102 ½ S. Glendale Avenue. 

Officers found that a hole had been cut through the roof of the business. Once the suspects got in, they disabled the security cameras, then broke into three separate safes, using blowtorches to open at least two of them. After robbing the safes, the thieves ransacked the store.

Jewelry worth around $1 million was stolen, officials said.

At that time, no suspects were in custody.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Glendale jewelry store robbed: Thieves use blowtorches to open multiple safes

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Multi-million-dollar jewelry heist in Glendale

Thieves broke in through the roof of Bidrussian Jewelry in Glendale to steal millions of dollars worth of jewels.

Following the incident, Glendale Police Department burglary detectives launched an investigation, developing leads that identified possible suspects.

Working in coordination with local agencies, detectives began surveillance on the group.

On the evening of Sunday, June 29, investigators received information indicating that the suspects were preparing to target Rodeo Jewelers, located at 1560 Foothill Boulevard in La Verne. 

As the suspects attempted to gain entry through the roof, law enforcement officers coordinated efforts to take the group into custody. During the incident, the suspects also used signal jammers and cut wires to the location.

What we know:

A total of eight suspects were observed at the scene of the attempted burglary in La Verne. 

Seven were successfully apprehended with the assistance of the La Verne Police Department, Claremont Police Department, Glendora Police Department, and deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s San Dimas Station.

The arrested individuals were identified as Jose Millafil, Javier Sepulveda, Cristian Gonzalezaburto, Luka Pazitiani, Vera Matias, Victor Iturriagalopez, and Edson Gonzalez. 

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Each suspect is charged with multiple felonies for burglary of the two jewelry stores and causing extensive infrastructure damage, according to the LA County District Attorney's Office.

Police stated that all suspects are foreign nationals believed to be involved in similar crimes spanning both their countries of origin and the United States.

What we don't know:

There was no immediate information available regarding the eighth suspect seen at the La Verne location, who was not apprehended during the operation.

Police did not specify where the foreign nationals are from.  

What's next:

The suspects were arraigned on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to all charges. Bail has been set at $2 million as requested by prosecutors. 

Aa preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 28. 

If convicted as charged, the defendants each face 13 years and 8 months in state prison.

The investigation into these incidents remains ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Glendale Police Department’s Burglary Unit at (818) 548-3127.