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7 Suspects Charged in California Jewelry Store Burglary
Police officers apprehended the suspects as they were allegedly attempting to gain entry into another jewelry store.
Authorities arrested the above seven suspects in connection with the burglary of a jewelry store in Glendale, California.
Glendale, Calif.—Police officers in Glendale, California, arrested and charged seven suspects in connection with the burglary of a jewelry store and the attempted burglary of another.
On May 27, over the Memorial Day weekend, officers responded to a burglary at Bidrussian Jewelry, where a hole had been cut through the roof of the business, according to a press release from the Glendale Police Department.
An unknown amount of jewelry had been stolen from the premises, said police, though local reports estimated the value of the stolen goods at more than $1 million.
A GoFundMe was started by a family member of the store’s owner, Manail Bidrussian, to help the business recover. As of press time, $13,450 has been raised, with a goal of $60,000.
The family-owned business has served the Glendale community for more than 45 years, according to the GoFundMe
The burglary was “calculated and professional,” it said, noting the thieves allegedly used torch guns to melt through the safes.
“In a matter of hours, they had stolen the entire inventory—45 years of hard work, memories, and the foundation of a family’s livelihood—gone, just like that.”
Manail Bidrussian took over his parents’ business years ago as his father’s health declined, according to the GoFundMe.
“This is more than a financial loss. It’s a devastating blow to a man who kept a promise, who upheld his father’s dream, and who poured his soul into continuing something that meant everything to his family.”
Following the incident, the police department’s burglary detectives launched an investigation, coordinating with local agencies and initiating surveillance on the suspected group of burglars.
On the evening of June 29, investigators received information that the suspects were planning to target Rodeo Jewelers in La Verne, California.
Police said the suspects were trying to get into the store via the roof when law enforcement officials arrived to take them into custody.
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On May 27, over the Memorial Day weekend, officers responded to a burglary at Bidrussian Jewelry, where a hole had been cut through the roof of the business, according to a press release from the Glendale Police Department.
An unknown amount of jewelry had been stolen from the premises, said police, though local reports estimated the value of the stolen goods at more than $1 million.
A GoFundMe was started by a family member of the store’s owner, Manail Bidrussian, to help the business recover. As of press time, $13,450 has been raised, with a goal of $60,000.
The family-owned business has served the Glendale community for more than 45 years, according to the GoFundMe
The burglary was “calculated and professional,” it said, noting the thieves allegedly used torch guns to melt through the safes.
“In a matter of hours, they had stolen the entire inventory—45 years of hard work, memories, and the foundation of a family’s livelihood—gone, just like that.”
Manail Bidrussian took over his parents’ business years ago as his father’s health declined, according to the GoFundMe.
“This is more than a financial loss. It’s a devastating blow to a man who kept a promise, who upheld his father’s dream, and who poured his soul into continuing something that meant everything to his family.”
Following the incident, the police department’s burglary detectives launched an investigation, coordinating with local agencies and initiating surveillance on the suspected group of burglars.
On the evening of June 29, investigators received information that the suspects were planning to target Rodeo Jewelers in La Verne, California.
Police said the suspects were trying to get into the store via the roof when law enforcement officials arrived to take them into custody.
The group used signal jammers and cut wires at the location, according to police.
The infrastructure damage disabled 911 and internet service to more than a million homes and hospitals, according to a local news report.
Of the eight suspects on the scene, police officers arrested seven of them, including Jose Millafil, Javier Sepulveda, Cristian Gonzalezaburto, Luka Pazitiani, Vera Matias, Victor Iturriagalopez, and Edson Gonzalez.
The men are believed to have committed similar crimes both in the U.S. and their respective countries of origin. They are in the custody of the Glendale Police as of July 1.
The suspects have been charged with multiple felonies, according to the local report, including grand theft, second-degree commercial burglary, and vandalism of a fiber optic cable. The men pleaded not guilty to all charges, with bail set at $2 million each.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 28.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact the Glendale Police Department’s Burglary Unit at 818-548-3127.
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