Four members of the robbery crew were arrested in connection with the robbery of a $3 million jewellery store in Ventura County.
The suspect, all Chilean citizens, were identified by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office as follows:
Heidy Nickolt Trujillo, 25 Camilo Antonio Aguliar Lara, 31 Sergio Andres Meji-Machuca, 27 Manuel David Ibarra, 37
Since May, the robber crew has been accused of a scheme targeting five-star jewelry and watch repairs, a family-owned business on Cochran Street in Simi Valley.
Suspect, from left: Sergio Andres Meji-Machuca, 27; Heidy Nickolt Trujillo, 25; Camilo Antonio Aguliar Lara, 31; Manuel David Ibarra, 37. (Ventura County District Attorney’s Office) A Chilean robbery crew has been accused of stealing more than $3 million in gems, watches, cash and valuables from a Simi Valley jewelry store on May 25, 2025. Shimi Valley Jewelry Store (Ventura County District Attorney’s Office) on May 25th, 2025, 5 Star Jewelry & Watch Repair, Dr. The Konkie Candy and Coffee Shop from Shimi Valley. (Ventura County Regional Commission Office) A Chilean robbery crew has been accused of stealing more than $3 million in gems, watches, cash and valuables from a Simi Valley jewelry store on May 25, 2025. 2025. (Ventura County District Attorney’s Office) The thief is craving his stomach to avoid motion detection sensors while robbing the adjacent jewelry store in Shimi Valley. May 25th, 2025. Jonathan Youssef points to a hole excavated by a thief who plundered a jewellery store in Simi Valley on May 25, 2025.
On May 20th, three suspects arrived at the store in white Volvo SUVs, where the two monitored and peered into the store through the window in front of them.
They entered Dr. Cankey’s Candy and Coffee Shop next door to assess the location of the surveillance cameras. They also allegedly inspected the wall adjacent to the jewelry store.
On May 25th, the crew returned to the shopping plaza and brought in the ladder and rope. Authorities said the ladder was placed outside the coffee shop, cutting through the roof.
They drilled holes in the shared wall between the coffee and jewelry store to access the store’s safe. Another suspect had painted surveillance cameras to hide the break-in.
The group plundered the jewelry store and fled with more than $3 million in jewelry, watches, cash and valuables, prosecutors said. They fled the area and carried the stolen gems to their homes in LA County.
The costly theft had devastated the family who owned the store. Owner Jonathan Youssef said 25 years ago that his father had planned to quickly build a business and retire soon before losing everything he owned.
On June 10th, four suspects were arrested. Some of them reportedly were found to be wearing stolen items. There were also stolen firearms. They were charged with two counts of committing a commercial robbery and two conspiracy to receive the stolen property.
Ventura County District Attorney Eric Nasalenko said at a June 13 press conference:
Officials said there may be additional cases related to the group, but details of these cases have not been provided.
All four suspects are in custody on $100,000 bail. If convicted of being indicted, they could face six to nine years of prison.
They are scheduled for an early disposal meeting in Ventura County Superior Court on June 23. A preliminary hearing is set for June 26th.
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