Crew Of Alleged Jewel Thieves Going through Prices Over Document $100 Million Armored Truck Heist

A gaggle of thieves broke right into a Brinks semi-truck stopped at a California relaxation cease in July 2022 and obtained away with $100 million in jewellery with none witnesses. It was a large theft destined to be tailored for the silver display screen, like the Lufthansa heist in “Goodfellas.” Nevertheless, the U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace introduced on Tuesday that it’s charging seven males for allegedly committing the most important jewel heist in American historical past. Investigators recognized the caper’s purported culprits by way of cellphone knowledge and surveillance footage.

The crew of seven noticed the semi-truck whereas it was being loaded on the Worldwide Gem & Jewellery Present in San Mateo, California, in accordance with federal prosecutors. The thieves determined to be affected person and strike at a second of weak point through the truck’s prolonged drive from the San Francisco Bay Space to Los Angeles. They tailed the Brinks semi-truck for 300 miles till it stopped on the Flying J fuel station off Interstate 5 in Lebec, an unincorporated group with a inhabitants of slightly below 1,300 folks. When the driving force and guard left the truck, the crew struck below the duvet of night time. Some members distracted the Brinks staff contained in the Flying J whereas the others broke into the truck and stole 24 luggage loaded with diamonds, emeralds, gold, rubies and Rolex watches. The heist may have been way more profitable, contemplating that 73 had been loaded onto the truck.

The crew knew how huge their haul was as a result of they instantly deactivated their cellphone numbers to cowl their tracks, USA Right now studies. The alleged culprits did every little thing we have been taught to do within the motion pictures. They vanished off the grid and stayed away from lavish purchases to keep away from attracting consideration. Nevertheless, it was a ultimate heist in a sequence below investigation. Prosecutors declare that the identical crew pulled a number of robberies in an identical method over the weeks and months earlier than the file haul. In March 2022, $240,000 in Samsung electronics had been taken from a semi-truck in Ontario. 9 days later, $57,000 Apple AirTags had been stolen from a field truck headed for Fontana. In the course of the later heist, the driving force returned early and was threatened by one of many thieves, who was wielding a knife. 

All seven males are dealing with expenses of two counts of conspiracy to commit theft and theft from an interstate and international cargo. One of many accused is already serving a jail sentence for third-degree housebreaking with illegal entry. Jena MacCabe, an Assistant U.S. Legal professional, would specify exactly how the crew was caught however mentioned:

“It actually was the diligence of the investigators speaking with the victims, reviewing all of the surveillance footage, wanting on the automobiles that had been concerned, taking a look at mobile phone information, and attempting to determine who these folks had been. And it was the mix of all of that helped us be capable of determine these seven that we charged.”

Investigators have thus far tracked down and recovered lower than half the jewellery stolen. They may doubtless have higher odds than their Canadian counterparts looking for $15 million in gold and international foreign money stolen from Air Canada in 2023. Final yr, two airline staff had been charged with allegedly being concerned within the huge heist at Toronto Pearson Worldwide Airport. Regardless of 880 kilos of gold snatched in plain sight, solely two kilos of gold have been recovered. It was believed that the remainder of the gold had been melted down and reconstituted. Some items may be fenced extra simply than others.