Int’l Jewelry Burglars, Wanted in Glendale Heist, Caught Attempting Theft in La Verne

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

LA VERNE - Police announced the arrest of seven suspects attempting to burglarize a Rodeo Jewelers June 29.

The suspects cut a hole through the roof of the jewelry store, 1560 Foothill Blvd., just after 10 p.m. The burglars were well organized, allegedly carrying cellphone signal jammers commonly used to disrupt alarms and communication, according to the La Verne Police Department.

Before carrying out the La Verne caper, the suspects allegedly severed a Spectrum fiber optic line to the business, which also knocked out internet access for more than 1 million Spectrum, Frontier and Verizon customers in the region, according to the La Verne Police Department.

An eighth suspect was able to flee.

This crew is blamed for the well-publicized May 27 heist of Bidrussian Jewelry, 1102 1/2 S. Glendale Ave. The suspects entered through similar means and took an unknown amount of jewelry, according to the Glendale Police Department.

The subsequent investigation yielded identification for the suspects who were put under surveillance. Once detectives learned of their impending target in La Verne, law enforcement agencies from La Verne, Glendora, Claremont and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s San Dimas Station worked to stop the burglary.

Damage caused during the La Verne burglary are estimated at $50,000 for the fiber optic cable and $1,000 to the roof of the business, according to the La Verne Police Department.

Arrested are:
Jose Millafil, 30
Javier Sepulveda, 24
Cristian Gonzalezaburto, 30
Luka Pazitiani, 27
Vera Matias (no booking information available)
Victor Iturrigalopez, 20
and Edson Gonzalez, 33

“All suspects are foreign nationals believed to be involved in similar crimes spanning both their countries of origin and the United States,” according to the Glendale Police Department.

All suspects are scheduled for an appearance in Glendale Superior Court July 2, according to Los Angeles County booking records.

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