A burglary crew accused of stealing $3 million worth of jewelry from a store in Ventura County has pleaded guilty to the crime that devastated a family business.
Four Chilean nationals were named suspects last year as the group responsible for burglarizing 5 Star Jewelry & Watch Repair in Simi Valley in May 2025.
They were identified as Heidy Nickolt Trujillo, 26, Camilo Antonio Aguliar Lara, 32, Sergio Andres Meji-Machuca, 27, and Manuel David Ibarra, 38.
On May 20, the criminal gang reportedly conducted surveillance at the family-owned store and coffee shop next door, looking for security cameras and inspecting walls. Five days later they returned with a ladder and rope, gaining entry to the roof and cutting a hole to access the stores while spray-painting cameras to hide their activities.
Prosecutors said the gang was able to drill a hole though a shared wall between the businesses and access the safe. They took off with over $3 million of jewelry, watches, cash and valuables and fled to a home in Los Angeles County.
Store owner Jonathan Youssef said the raid devastated his family business and that his father — who opened the store 25 years ago — had been planning to retire before the burglary.
The suspects were arrested by Simi Valley police on June 10, with some of them reportedly wearing the stolen items. A stolen firearm was also found by law enforcement.
Ibarra and Machuca also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit commercial burglary and felony vandalism for another break-in at Simi Valley Pawn Brokers on May 23, 2025.
Trujillo, the only female member of the gang, pleaded guilty to her role in the crime — a single count of conspiracy to possess stolen property.
“This was not a crime of opportunity,” said Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “These defendants planned carefully, conducted surveillance, and used specialized tools and techniques to carry out a highly sophisticated burglary that caused enormous financial harm. Their guilty pleas ensure accountability and reflect the strength of the evidence in this case.”
The foursome face at least four years in prison and will find out their fate on February 20. All four remain behind bars on $100,000 bail.
