In a massive bust, seven international criminals with histories of jewelry theft in their home countries have been apprehended while attempting another sophisticated roof-cutting operation.
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The arrests show that foreign burglary syndicate members infiltrate U.S. borders to execute million-dollar jewelry heists in California.
One suspect remains at large as authorities warn of more organized criminal groups targeting American businesses.
California law enforcement arrested seven foreign nationals linked to a $2 million jewelry store heist in Glendale.
The suspects, all from outside the United States, allegedly entered the country specifically to commit high-value thefts, raising serious questions about border security and the influx of international criminal enterprises.
The initial burglary occurred at approximately 1 a.m. on May 27 when thieves broke through the roof of a Glendale jewelry store, making off with approximately $2 million in merchandise.
The sophisticated operation left the store in shambles, with the owner describing devastating damage.
“They cleaned everything, and they made it into a warzone. As I’ve been telling everybody else, it’s like a battle, a war happened in here,” said Manial Bidrussian, the jewelry store owner who discovered the aftermath of the crime.
Glendale Police Department investigators developed leads following the May robbery, identifying the suspects as part of an international burglary syndicate.
Intelligence gathering revealed the group was planning another heist on June 29, 2025, targeting Rodeo Jewelers in La Verne, approximately 25 miles east of Los Angeles.
The criminals employed sophisticated techniques including signal jammers and cutting communication wires to disable security systems.
Their methodology matches tactics used in their countries of origin, according to police statements, suggesting these individuals brought established criminal expertise across the border.
“All suspects are foreign nationals believed to be involved in similar crimes spanning both their countries of origin and the United States,” stated the Glendale Police Department, confirming suspicions that organized crime rings are increasingly targeting American businesses after entering the country.
Law enforcement agencies coordinated a multi-jurisdictional operation to catch the criminals in the act.
As the suspects attempted to gain roof access at the La Verne location, police moved in, apprehending seven of the eight perpetrators.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Jose Millafil, Javier Sepulveda, Cristian Gonzalezaburto, Luka Pazitiani, Vera Matias, Victor Iturriagalopez, and Edson Gonzalez.
“Seven men accused of committing jewelry heists in their ‘countries of origin’ have crossed the border into the U.S. to commit similar crimes,” police confirmed, highlighting growing concerns about criminal elements exploiting America’s porous borders.
The recent arrest comes amid a surge of organized retail theft across California.
A separate incident at a nearby El Monte jewelry store resulted in approximately $1.5 million in losses.
Law enforcement has not confirmed whether the same group is responsible but noted that professional theft rings are increasingly targeting Los Angeles County businesses.
Authorities continue searching for the eighth suspect who managed to escape during the La Verne operation.
The Glendale Police Department urges anyone with information to contact their Burglary Unit as the investigation into the syndicate’s potential connection to other unsolved cases continues.
Seven foreign nationals were arrested for a sophisticated jewelry heist at Bidrussian Jewelry in Glendale, California, where they cut through the roof, used blowtorches to open safes, and stole approximately $2 million in merchandise. #DeportThemAllhttps://t.co/5hzK98Z05d
— Mark Bowron (@MarkBowron420) July 1, 2025
