In what federal authorities describe as the largest jewelry heist in U.S. history, seven suspects have been charged after allegedly following a Brink’s armored truck for nearly 300 miles and stealing an estimated $100 million in high-value goods.
At a Glance
- In July 2022, seven men trailed a Brink’s truck departing a San Francisco jewelry show, later robbing it at a rest stop north of Los Angeles
- The thieves stole 24 bags containing diamonds, emeralds, rubies, gold, and luxury watches
- Two suspects—Pablo Raul Lugo Larroig and Jeson Nelon Presilla Flores—have been arrested and face federal theft and conspiracy charges
- Four suspects remain at large; a fifth is incarcerated in Arizona for an unrelated offense
- Investigators report some stolen merchandise has been recovered
Criminal Plot Uncovered
According to AP News, the group targeted a Brink’s semitruck after it left a jewelry show near San Francisco. They followed the truck to a rest stop in Lebec, California, where—while the driver and guard were away—they broke into the trailer and stole 24 of 73 bags loaded with valuable items.
Authorities described the crime as meticulously planned, carried out without weapons or confrontation—demonstrating a high level of organization and stealth.
Several of the accused face additional charges related to other thefts, including a March 2022 incident in which $240,000 in electronics was stolen from a truck. The indictment states that some of the accused served as lookouts, while others would break into trucks and take the goods, occasionally using force or threatening the drivers with violence.
Arrests, Charges & Ongoing Probe
The seven men indicted—Carlos Victor Mestanza Cercado, Jazael Padilla Resto, Pablo Raul Lugo Larroig, Victor Hugo Valencia Solorzano, Jorge Enrique Alban, Jeson Nelon Presilla Flores, and Eduardo Macias Ibarra—face federal charges of conspiracy and theft from interstate shipment. As reported by The Times, two suspects have been arrested, one remains jailed in Arizona, and four others are still being sought by authorities.
Bigger Implications
This record-breaking crime has raised major concerns about the vulnerability of armored truck operations. The FBI is pursuing leads tied to other cargo thefts, including electronics. As The Washington Post notes, the true scale of the theft is still being verified—while some reports peg losses near $100 million, others suggest a lower total.
With some stolen goods recovered, the case continues to unfold as law enforcement works to apprehend the remaining suspects and safeguard future high-value shipments.
