Los Angelas, CA– Four members of a burglary crew pleaded guilty to their roles in a $3 million jewelry store heist in Ventura County.
The crew members, all Chilean nationals, were identified by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office as:
- Heidy Nickolt Trujillo, 26
- Camilo Antonio Aguliar Lara, 32
- Sergio Andres Meji-Machuca, 27
- Manuel David Ibarra, 38
The group pleaded guilty to burglarizing a jewelry store and a coffee shop in Simi Valley in late May 2025.
Earlier that month, they made plans to target 5 Star Jewelry & Watch repair, a family-owned business on Cochran Street.
On May 20, three people arrived at the store in a white Volvo SUV, where two people conducted surveillance and peered into the store through the front window.
They entered Dr. Conkey’s Candy and Coffee shop next door to assess the location of any surveillance cameras. They also inspected the walls that adjoin the jewelry store.
On May 25, the crew returned to the shopping plaza and brought a ladder and rope with them. The ladder was placed against the coffee shop’s exterior as they cut through the roof to gain entry.
They drilled a hole through a shared wall between the coffee and jewelry shop to access the store’s safe. One person had spray-painted a surveillance camera to cover up the break-in.
The group ransacked the shop and escaped with over $3 million worth of jewelry, watches, cash and valuables, prosecutors said. They fled the area and transported the stolen jewelry to a home in L.A. County.
The costly theft had devastated the family that owned the store. Owner Jonathan Youssef said that 25 years ago, his father had built the business from the ground up and had planned on retiring soon before losing everything they owned.
On June 10, the four suspects were arrested by Simi Valley police. Some of them were reportedly found wearing the stolen items. A stolen firearm was also located.
On Jan. 21, 2026, all four members pleaded guilty to a variety of charges. Ibarra, Mejía-Machuca and Lara each pleaded guilty to felony counts of conspiracy to commit commercial burglary and possession of stolen property.
Ibarra and Machuca also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit commercial burglary and felony vandalism for a burglary at Simi Valley Pawn Brokers on May 23, 2025.
Trujillo pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to possess stolen property for her role in the jewelry heist.
All four members also admitted special allegations, including excessive loss exceeding $1 million and theft or damage committed in concert with others, along with the aggravating factor that the manner in which the crimes were carried out demonstrated planning, sophistication and professionalism.
“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.”
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Feb. 20 where they face at least four years in prison. All four remain in custody on $100,000 bail.
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