Seven men from California have been indicted in connection with what federal authorities describe as the largest jewellery heist in United States history, involving the theft of approximately $100 million in gold, gems, and luxury watches.
The case, which had remained unsolved for nearly two years, dates back to July 2022, when a Brinks security truck carrying 73 bags of high-value merchandise was robbed at a remote rest stop in Lebec, California.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the suspects began trailing the truck after it departed a jewellery exhibition near San Francisco. One of the accused allegedly conducted surveillance on the event for several days before coordinating the theft. The group is said to have followed the vehicle for nearly 300 miles before executing the robbery while the truck was parked overnight—one driver asleep in the cab and the other away for a meal.
Under the cover of darkness, the suspects allegedly removed 24 bags of jewellery from the truck. Authorities believe the vehicle’s padlock was sawed off, and no weapons were used during the operation. While court filings did not detail how the suspects accessed the truck’s secured storage, investigators recovered some of the stolen items during search warrant operations conducted on June 16.
The Brinks vehicle was en route to another jewellery event in Pasadena at the time of the theft.
“Most of my clients are senior citizens, some are 85 years old,” said attorney Jerry Kroll, who represents several of the affected jewellers. “This is really serious. If there’s something recovered for them, we’d be very grateful.”
It remains unclear if the indicted individuals have obtained legal representation. The Justice Department has yet to disclose the value or quantity of the recovered items, nor has it provided an updated estimate of how much stolen merchandise remains missing.
Nzubechukwu Eze
