Introduction to the Heist
News of the break-in at Love Jewels spread quickly among the owner’s family through alarming text messages. Someone had broken into the shop over the weekend, the first worker to arrive told the others, and they’d broken into one of the safes. But as relatives arrived at the business off Broadway and 5th Street in downtown Los Angeles on Monday morning, the scope of the loss was clear; millions of dollars in gold and jewels were gone and it was written all over the owner’s face.
The Extent of the Loss
“When I got here I could see my dad’s reaction — I could see that they got everything,” the store owner’s son told The Times on Wednesday. On Sunday night, police say a group of determined thieves drilled, hammered and climbed through multiple walls in and around the old Roxie theater downtown and broke into Love Jewels, Reina de Oro, and stole an estimated $10 million in merchandise. Thieves cleared display cases at Love Jewels, Reina de Oro and got away with millions of dollars in gold and jewels. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
Aftermath and Investigation
Video of the aftermath posted by the shop on social media showed the business’ office in complete disarray, with documents and debris covering the ground and the mangled shell of an emptied safe. A handful of earrings and silver chains were all that remained there Wednesday. “There is nothing left,” said the owner, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of his safety. The contents of the safes were the family’s life savings and were uninsured, he said. LAPD investigators determined the heist began about 9:30 p.m. Sunday, but the family said the burglar crew could have begun cutting into adjacent properties earlier.
Modus Operandi of the Heist
It’s believed the burglars are professionals who spent hours inside the business. The modus operandi of the heist could help narrow the search of suspects. According to the family, the business’ security alarm was deactivated and a Ring camera feed from the store cut out just before 10 p.m. Another security feed from the business was cut hours earlier, so the family said it’s hard to pin down when the break-in began. Thieves cut a hole in the safe at Love Jewels, Reina de Oro and got away with millions of dollars in gold and jewels. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
Investigation and Assistance
In the meantime, the FBI’s major theft task force has stepped in to assist with the investigation. Security cameras from nearby businesses captured the burglars as they walked in and out of a vacant storefront. At one point, they dragged a trash can from a vehicle and appeared to be wearing construction gear, according to the family. In security video of the break-in, a massive drill can be heard carving through the main castlelike wall, making a hole big enough for a person to slip through. LAPD Capt. Raul Jovel, who oversees the department’s central division, said the thieves tunneled into the building from a vacant storefront. “They went for some really thick old walls. They went into one small room and then through a second wall,” Jovel said. “This was serious digging.”
Previous Attempts and Ongoing Investigation
This wasn’t the first time burglars have made a run at Love Jewels. About 13 years ago, a similar heist was foiled when the culprits were caught in the act, the owner said. LAPD investigators say the recent burglars, after entering, cut the security camera feed, and there are no images of them inside the business. However, LAPD forensic experts are examining the scene for fingerprints and DNA. The family believe there is more security footage from nearby businesses that show a suspect’s vehicle and ask anyone with more information to share with police.
Conclusion
The family is offering a $100,000 reward for the recovery of their merchandise and are operating online only for the time being, the owner said. A GoFundMe was set up to help the family offset their costs and help them keep their business afloat. The investigation is ongoing, and the community is urged to come forward with any information that might lead to the capture of the burglars and the recovery of the stolen goods.
FAQs
- Q: What was the estimated value of the stolen merchandise?
A: The estimated value of the stolen merchandise is $10 million in gold and jewels. - Q: How did the burglars gain access to the business?
A: The burglars drilled, hammered, and climbed through multiple walls in and around the old Roxie theater downtown to break into Love Jewels, Reina de Oro. - Q: Is there any surveillance footage of the burglars?
A: Security cameras from nearby businesses captured the burglars as they walked in and out of a vacant storefront, but the security camera feed from the store was cut out before the break-in. - Q: Are the authorities offering any rewards for information?
A: Yes, the family is offering a $100,000 reward for the recovery of their merchandise. - Q: How can people help the affected family?
A: A GoFundMe was set up to help the family offset their costs and keep their business afloat. People can also come forward with any information that might lead to the capture of the burglars and the recovery of the stolen goods.
