LOS ANGELES, California — Seven members of a South American crime ring have been charged with burglarizing two jewelry stores, stealing over $1 million in jewelry, and disabling emergency services, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. The defendants allegedly targeted a Glendale shop and disrupted 911 and internet services to over a million homes and hospitals during a La Verne break-in.
Jose Millafil, 30, Luka Pazitiani, 27, Javier Sepulveda, 24, Matias Vera, 34, Victor Iturriagalopez, 18, Edson Gonzalez, 31, and Cristian Gonzalezaburto, 28, face multiple felony charges, including grand theft, commercial burglary, and vandalism. On May 26, they allegedly burglarized Bidrussian Jewelry in Glendale by cutting a hole through the roof and stealing jewelry valued at over $1 million. On June 29, they attempted to burglarize Rodeo Jewelry in La Verne, using signal jammers and cutting utility lines and fiber optic cables, according to the press release.
Four defendants were arrested on the roof, while three others were apprehended after fleeing the scene in separate cars. The arrests were made by the Glendale police with assistance from the La Verne, Claremont, and Glendora police departments, as well as the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s San Dimas Station. “This case demonstrates the strength and skill of law enforcement across the county,” said District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman…