Masterminds Behind America’s Biggest Jewelry Heist Brought to Justice After Nearly Three Years

A Daring Crime Without Guns or Witnesses

In one of the most audacious and well-executed jewelry thefts in United States history, a group of thieves managed to steal over $100 million worth of diamonds, emeralds, gold jewelry, and luxury watches — all without brandishing a weapon, injuring anyone, or leaving behind a single witness. The crime stunned both authorities and the jewelry industry, marking it as the largest jewelry heist ever recorded in the U.S.

The meticulously planned operation took place in July 2022, when an armored Brinks semitruck was targeted just north of Los Angeles, California. The truck had departed from an international jewelry exhibition near San Francisco and was carrying 73 bags of high-value merchandise. Within minutes, 24 of those bags — filled with Rolex watches, diamond earrings, emerald rings, gold necklaces, and even a rare lavender jade stone the size of a cicada — vanished.

From a Perfect Crime to a Federal Breakthrough

For nearly three years, the case remained cold. With no witnesses and little evidence, it appeared that the criminal crew had orchestrated the perfect getaway. But that illusion was shattered in June 2025, when federal prosecutors finally unmasked the suspects.

Seven men have been formally charged in connection with the heist:

Carlos Victor Mestanza Cercado

Jazael Padilla Resto

Pablo Raul Lugo Larroig

Victor Hugo Valencia Solorzano

Jorge Enrique Alban

Jeson Nelon Presilla Flores

Eduardo Macias Ibarra

According to court records, two suspects were arrested on Monday, while four remain at large. A seventh man is currently serving time in Arizona for an unrelated burglary and is expected to appear in a Los Angeles courtroom in the coming weeks.

How Federal Agents Tracked Them Down

The arrests of Pablo Raul Lugo Larroig and Jeson Nelon Presilla Flores marked the first major breakthrough in the case. Both are now facing federal charges of theft and conspiracy. Investigators say that the Brinks heist was not an isolated incident — it was part of a larger criminal enterprise involving a series of cargo truck thefts that began in March 2022.

The indictment reveals how the group operated with military-like precision. Some of the suspects acted as lookouts, surveilling armored trucks as they departed from trade shows or warehouses. Others were assigned to the break-in and theft, using tools — and sometimes force or threats of violence — to access and unload the valuable cargo.

In the case of the Brinks truck, the operation took place on July 10, 2022, shortly after the vehicle left the jewelry show. Federal prosecutors state that the criminals scouted the truck's movements and executed the theft when it made a brief stop. Despite the massive value of the stolen goods, the entire heist took only a few minutes.

Uncovering the Scope of the Operation

Investigators believe the crew had been operating across multiple states and may be responsible for at least half a dozen thefts involving cargo trucks. The Brinks heist, however, stood out for its sheer scale, stealth, and sophistication.

The stolen items — including highly traceable luxury timepieces and rare gemstones — have not all been recovered, and authorities continue to track leads across state lines and possibly international borders.

What Happens Next

As the legal proceedings unfold, more details about the heist are expected to emerge. Authorities are working to apprehend the remaining suspects and recover the stolen merchandise. The case has also sparked renewed calls within the cargo transport and jewelry industries for enhanced security measures and coordination with law enforcement.

This landmark case highlights the growing threat of organized theft rings targeting high-value shipments. It also serves as a reminder of the determination and reach of federal investigators — even when the criminals appear to vanish without a trace.