7 Nabbed in Largest US Jewel Heist

Suspects allegedly tailed Brinks truck 300 miles before stealing $100M in gold and gems
Posted Jun 18, 2025 8:01 AM CDT
7 Nabbed in Largest US Jewel Heist
An armored truck of Brinks Diamond and Jewelry Services arrives at the cargo section of Brussels International Airport, on Feb. 19, 2013.   (AP Photo/Yves Logghe, File)

Seven residents of the Los Angeles area stand accused of pulling off what federal prosecutors say is the largest jewelry heist in US history—allegedly making off with nearly $100 million in gold and gems from a Brinks truck after a 300-mile pursuit. Authorities say the men aged 31 to 60 targeted the truck after it left a jewelry show in San Mateo in 2022, tracking it for more than 300 miles before striking at a rest stop in Lebec, about 80 miles north of Los Angeles, per CBS News and the Los Angeles Times. Some of the stolen jewelry has been recovered, but "most" is still missing, ABC News reports. Among the 14 jewelers affected by the theft, "several suffered grave financial losses, and some left the trade altogether," per the Times.

The suspects face charges including conspiracy to commit theft and theft from interstate and foreign shipments. Five of them face additional robbery-related charges tied to alleged thefts of electronics and Apple AirTags from cargo shipments in the months before and after the Brinks heist. Prosecutors claim that in one instance, a driver was threatened with a knife. Two of the men appeared in court Tuesday following their arrests. Another is currently in an Arizona prison for an unrelated burglary and will be brought to court in California. Prosecutors say the group tried to cover their tracks by deactivating their cellphones after the Brinks theft. If convicted, the men could face up to 20 years in prison for each robbery charge and additional time for theft and conspiracy charges. (This content was created with the help of AI. Read our AI policy.)

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