In a significant law enforcement operation, seven non-citizens were apprehended in California on Tuesday, thwarting a planned jewelry store heist.
This development follows a detailed investigation by police, which linked the suspects to a previous burglary at a Glendale jewelry store in May.
As reported by the Western Journal, the Glendale Police Department revealed that the suspects are connected to a May 27 burglary at Bidrussian Jewelry in Glendale. During this incident, the perpetrators gained access by cutting a hole in the roof, subsequently disabling security cameras and breaking into three safes using blowtorches.
The thieves made off with an unspecified amount of jewelry. The Glendale police, in collaboration with neighboring law enforcement agencies, identified potential suspects and placed them under surveillance. A crucial tip-off on Sunday indicated that Rodeo Jewelers in La Verne was the next target. This time, authorities were ready, arresting multiple suspects as they attempted to breach the store's roof.
The suspects, who came equipped with signal jammers and cut wires to disable store security, were apprehended by a coalition of officers from the La Verne Police Department, Claremont Police Department, Glendora Police Department, and deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs San Dimas Station. Seven individuals were detained, while one suspect managed to escape.
The arrested individuals, identified as Jose Millafil, Javier Sepulveda, Cristian Gonzalezaburto, Luka Pazitiani, Vera Matias, Victor Iturriagalopez, and Edson Gonzalez, are believed to have engaged in similar criminal activities both in the U.S. and their home country. Authorities have not disclosed the nationalities of the suspects, who remain in custody as the search for the eighth suspect continues.
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