Seven Southern California men have been indicted for allegedly pulling off the biggest jewelry heist in U.S. history—a $100 million theft from a Brink’s armored truck in 2022.
The suspects—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 charges of conspiracy and theft from interstate and foreign shipments. Two are already in custody; Padilla is currently serving time in Arizona for burglary.
On July 11, 2022, the group allegedly followed a Brink’s semitruck from a jewelry show in San Mateo, California, and struck while it rested at a stop, stealing 24 bags filled with jewels. Some items have since been recovered through search warrants.
In a related civil case, Brink’s recently won a legal battle against 11 jewelers who demanded full reimbursement. A New York federal judge sided with Brink’s, ruling the company is only liable for the $8.7 million value declared in the truck’s manifest—not the actual $100 million.
Lead attorney Jerry Kroll criticized Brink’s security and praised law enforcement’s efforts. The Jewelers’ Security Alliance echoed concerns about under-declaring shipment values and applauded the FBI’s complex investigation.